By Ismail Auwal
A canoe accident at Gidan-Magana village, Shagari Local Government Area, Sokoto State, has claimed the lives of 28 people.
The village head, Mohammed Auwalu, said the incident occurred on Wednesday while the victims were crossing the river in a canoe to a nearby village called Badiyawa.
Auwalu said the accident occurred when the canoe hit a tree in the water and capsized.
According to Auwalu, the canoe was carrying 34 people, mostly women and children.
“When it hit a tree and sunk into the water, only six people were rescued, while 28 dead bodies were recovered,” he added.
Auwalu stressed that his five children were among those who died in the accident.
He said, “The victims, who were 34 in number, were going to Bodiyawa village in a canoe early in the morning today (Wednesday) and as they were moving in the water, the canoe hit a tree and capsized.
“The rescue operators were only able to rescue six persons alive, while 28 dead bodies were recovered.
“My five children were among those that died in the incident.
“As I am talking to you now, we are in the cemetery trying to bury those who died.”
