At Least 40 Dead, Mostly Children, in Sokoto Boat Tragedy as Overloaded Vessel Capsizes
SOKOTO, Nigeria – August 2026 At least 40 people have been confirmed dead, with the majority of them children, after an overloaded boat capsized in Sokoto State over the weekend. The tragedy has left entire communities in mourning and reignited urgent calls for safer water transportation in Nigeria. According to eyewitnesses and local authorities, the wooden vessel was transporting passengers and goods across a river in Sokoto when it overturned. The boat was said to be carrying far more passengers than its capacity could handle. Most of those on board were women and children returning from market and school activities. Only a few passengers were rescued, while rescue operations continued into the night. Officials say the death toll could still rise as search and recovery efforts are ongoing. Families have gathered at the riverbanks waiting for updates, with many still searching for missing loved ones. *A Pattern We Know Too Well* Boat mishaps are sadly not new in Ni...