- More than 40 people are missing after a passenger boat overturned on River Goronyo, Sokoto, on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025.
- NEMA says 25 passengers were rescued; search operations paused at 7 p.m. Monday and will resume at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
- Initial accounts cite wind and suspected overloading; dam managers may release water after the search window.
The Big Picture
Rescue workers in northern Nigeria are combing River Goronyo in Sokoto state for more than 40 missing passengers after a market-bound boat with over 50 people capsized on Sunday, authorities said. The National Emergency Management Agency reported the incident on X on Monday (Aug. 18), noting that 25 people were pulled from the water alive while roughly 25 remain unaccounted for.
What’s New
According to NEMA, search and rescue operations were halted around 7 p.m. Monday and will restart at 7 a.m. Tuesday, a schedule set in coordination with dam managers who warned they may need to release water afterward. The agency said seven motorcycles were recovered from the water and, as of Monday evening, no bodies had been found. Sokoto’s Deputy Governor Idris Muhammad Gobir visited the scene to meet responders and affected families, the agency added. Witnesses initially blamed strong winds; river authorities and responders also pointed to possible overloading.
What They’re Saying
Context
The accident occurred as passengers were traveling to a local market in Goronyo. Inland waterway travel is common across northern Nigeria, especially during the rainy season when roads can be difficult. Safety officials routinely warn against overloading and stress the need for life jackets and trained operators on community boats. Local government officials and volunteer divers joined federal and state agencies to expand the search corridor on the river.
What’s Next
Authorities plan to restart the search at first light Tuesday. The window is tight: dam managers indicated water releases could follow to relieve pressure and protect infrastructure, which may complicate recovery efforts. Officials said community leaders and divers will continue to assist while families await updates on those still missing.
The Bottom Line
A routine market trip turned into a large-scale search operation on River Goronyo. With dozens still missing and a dam release looming, Tuesday’s early-morning sweep will be critical for finding survivors and clarifying what went wrong.
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