Hope Ajayi 
SOKOTO, Nigeria – The Sokoto boat mishap death toll has risen to 65, with only 11 survivors confirmed, following one of Nigeria’s deadliest inland waterway disasters in recent years.
Rescue teams continue recovery operations at the Gorau crossing point in Goronyo Local Government Area as grieving families, government officials and community leaders call for urgent action to improve waterway safety.
The tragedy occurs on Thursday at Gorau Village, where a boat carrying passengers capsizes while crossing the river. Search and rescue operations resume on Friday after being suspended overnight due to darkness and hazardous conditions.
Rescuers recover additional bodies during Friday’s operation, raising the confirmed death toll from 53 to 65.
Reacting to the tragedy, Chairman of NIWA’s Governing Board, Alhaji Mukhtar Shehu Shagari, describes the incident as devastating and extends condolences to the Sokoto State Government, Goronyo Local Government, traditional rulers and bereaved families.
Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, calls for an immediate investigation into the accident.
Meanwhile, the member representing Goronyo/Gada Federal Constituency, Hon. Bashir Usman Gorau, broadens the debate by urging the Federal Government to begin the comprehensive desilting of the Goronyo Dam and its tributaries.
“A dam that was designed decades ago cannot continue to function effectively when its reservoir and waterways are choked with sediments. The capacity of Goronyo Dam has been seriously compromised, and the consequences are being felt every year by communities living downstream and around the dam.”
“We cannot continue to wait until people are killed, communities are submerged and property worth millions is destroyed before we take action. Goronyo Dam has served the nation for over five decades; it now requires urgent rehabilitation and desilting to restore its capacity and protect the people.”
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Mirian Gom 
