Panic-stricken residents of Zalla Bango in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State have suffered fresh tragedy after a boat carrying fleeing villagers capsized, leaving several feared dead.
Eyewitnesses said most of the victims were women who attempted to cross the water on Thursday evening, shortly after Maghrib prayers, in a desperate bid to escape an anticipated bandit raid.
“Many residents have resorted to fleeing their communities, crossing over the water to areas perceived as safer and less accessible to the bandits,” a local source explained.
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The ill-fated boat reportedly struck the edge of a collapsed culvert along the Goronyo–Sabon Birni road before it cracked and sank. Residents lamented that this was not the first such tragedy in the area this year, noting that persistent insecurity has forced villagers into repeated risky crossings.
Casualty figures remain unclear, though reports suggest between six and 12 lives may have been lost. Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government, Alhaji Ayuba Hashimu, confirmed the incident but stressed that verification was ongoing.
“As at this morning, only one body – that of a woman – has been recovered from the water,” he said.
Hashimu, who visited the scene, explained that the disaster struck as villagers scrambled to escape yet another bandit attack. “The boat hit the edge of a collapsed culvert, which led to its breaking and eventual sinking. We are doing everything we can to rescue survivors and retrieve the bodies of the deceased,” he added.
The chairman revealed that motorised boats and life jackets distributed by the Sokoto State Government had reached Sabon Birni only a day before the tragedy.
The area has faced repeated incidents in recent weeks. Last month, six people drowned in Garin Faji, another community in Sabon Birni, while fleeing armed men.
Meanwhile, bandits also attacked Kwanar Kimba village earlier in the week, killing six people. Sokoto State lawmaker representing the constituency, Sa’idu Ibrahim, confirmed the assault.
“Residents of the village tried to resist the attack, which led to a confrontation with the armed men. Unfortunately, six people were killed before the attackers fled. I just returned from the village, where I went to sympathise with the grieving families,” he said.
(Platinum Post)