The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the rescue of an additional 15 persons in the ongoing operations following the tragic boat mishap that occurred on Sunday, 17th August, 2025, in Kojiyo village, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
This brings the total number of persons rescued to 25, while 25 others remain unaccounted for. The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has also assured that rescue operations will be sustained and further intensified until all missing persons are rescued.
It would be recalled that the ill-fated canoe, carrying over 50 passengers en route to Goronyo Market, capsized in Kojiyo village on Sunday.
Initial operations had led to the rescue of 10 passengers, while the intensified efforts yielded an additional 15 rescues.
Authorities also recovered seven motorcycles from the river.
To enhance the effectiveness of the operation, the management of Goronyo Dam has temporarily closed the dam for two days, allowing divers and rescuers greater access to the affected area.
The NEMA rescue team, led by Mr. Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi, Head of the Agency’s Sokoto Operations Office, remains fully deployed at the scene.
The team is working in close collaboration with the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Goronyo Local Government Authority, and local divers to sustain the coordinated search and rescue operations.
The Director General Mrs Zubaida Umar, reaffirmed NEMA’s unwavering commitment to saving lives, supporting affected families, and providing timely updates to the public.
Manzo Ezekiel
NEMA Press Unit
Abuja
18th August, 2025
