Update: Monarch Loses Five Children And Bride-to-be To Sokoto Boat Mishap- Pics

 

The boat tragedy occurred at Gidan Magana village, Ginga settlement in Shagari local government area of Sokoto state, killing 29 passengers, including a bride-to-be and five children of a traditional ruler.

 

 

The passengers were reportedly crossing the river to a nearby bush to collect firewood, which they then sell for a living.

 

 

When the boat capsized around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13, there were 35 people on board. Six of the passengers, on the other hand, were saved.

 

Malam Muhammadu Auwal, the village chief of Gidan Magana, who lost five of his children in the accident, told Daily Trust that 23 females and six males were among the dead.

 

 

The victims were crossing the river to get firewood since it was scarce in their village, he said.

 

 

“You know the kind of situation we are. There is a serious shortage of firewood which we use to make our meals.

The children used to go to the nearby bush across the river to fetch fire wood for their parents while some of them sell it to get money.”

 

 

He stated that the incident happened shortly after the boat took off.

 

 

“The sailor lost its control shortly after take off because of heavy waves. And it capsized,” he said.

 

He pointed out that the tragedy occurred while many of the village’s elderly residents were resting at home after the morning prayer.

 

“I was sleeping when some youth came to my house and informed me about the incident. I mobilized the people of my community, including our local divers, but before we reached there many of the children had died.

 

“I lost five of my children and two younger sisters of my wives.

I also lost my niece whose wedding was fixed for one week after Sallah.

This is the great tragedy that has ever happened in our community.

We pray Allah to grant their souls eternal rest and give us the fortitude to bear their lost,” he said.

 

 

Rufaida, Aliyu Muhammad’s 12-year-old daughter, died in the tragedy. Aliyu Muhammad said his daughter was well before she went into the bush.

 

 

“I was going to the farm when my wife told me that my daughter is going to fetch firewood for us.

When I was coming back, I heard people shouting and screaming for help that a boat capsized in our river.

 

“When I reached home, my younger children told me that Rufaida was among those onboard the canoe, so I rushed to the river side only for me to meet her lifeless body lying by the river bank,” he said, his voice heavy with grief.

 

Aliyu Abubakar Dantani, the chairman of Shagari local government area, said he learned of the occurrence through the counsellor representing Dande Mahe and immediately informed the Divisional Police Officer, who accompanied him to the village.

 

 

“We counted 28 bodies at the scene of the incident and they are all from the same village,” he said.

 

 

Meanwhile, around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the deceased were given a mass burial in accordance with Islamic customs;