...22 persons still missingĀ
By Olawale Lamina
The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has confirmed the recovery of three bodies in the ongoing search and rescue operations following the tragic boat mishap which occurred on Sunday, 17th August 2025, in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The bodies were retrieved on Tuesday, 19th August, 2025, from the river at Kojiyo, Bari, and Wuci communities, respectively, through the combined efforts of NEMA, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and local divers. With this development, the number of missing persons has now stands at 22.
A statement by NEMA Head of Press, Manzo Ezekiel informed that earlier on Tuesday, the NEMA Team Lead, Mr. Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi, secured the support of the 119 Composite Group of the Nigerian Air Force Disaster Response Unit (DRU), where Mr. Kafindangi briefed the Commander, Group Captain US Maibuhu, on the incident and called on the DRU to remain vigilant.
It added that the rescue operation had been aided by dam management efforts, which succeeded in holding back the waters and significantly reduced the riverās water level, thereby improving search effectiveness.
The statement by NEMA also assured the public that search and rescue operations will continue and intensified, while assuring that further updates would be provided on the boat mishap as they become available.
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