The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 41 people were rescued while four bodies were recovered following the recent boat mishap in Goronyo, Sokoto State.
NEMA said the joint operation, which involved the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Goronyo Local Government Authority, and local divers, came to a close on Friday after another body was retrieved.
“A funeral prayer was conducted in accordance with Islamic rites before the victim was laid to rest,” NEMA’s Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, said in a statement.
The agency’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, commended the rescue team for their dedication and praised the cooperation of all stakeholders involved in the search and recovery efforts.
On Thursday, August 21, rescue officials visited Takuske, Kwakwazu, Bari, and Gamiha villages—communities where many of the passengers were from. The visits helped verify the number of survivors and missing persons, as well as provide condolences to bereaved families. It was confirmed that 16 passengers survived the tragedy.
“With these developments, the multi-agency search and rescue mission has been officially concluded,” the statement added.
The ill-fated boat capsized on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Kojiyo village, near the Goronyo Dam in Sokoto State.