Seventeen persons have been confirmed dead in a boat mishap that occurred at Dandeji Village of Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, Northwest Nigeria.
The Local Council, Chairman, Aliyu Dantani, confirmed the incident to journalists.
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He said, at least seventeen persons, mostly boys and girls were recovered dead, while five were rescued.
Local divers are still searching for other reported missing persons.
Some locals said the boat was carrying over 40 girls and boys that went to fetch firewood at a nearby bush when the boat capsized.
The remains of the seventeen victims have been evacuated by the local divers, and have since been buried.
It is gathered that between 2020 and 2023 about four boat mishaps have been recorded in Shagari Local Government Area, with different casualty figures.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe