By Aisha Maikudi Abdulkadir
The National Emergency Management Agency on Monday confirmed the rescue of 15 more persons in the ongoing operation following Sunday’s tragic boat crash in Kojiyo village, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA, in a statement on Monday, said the latest rescue brought the total number of survivors to 25, while 25 others remained missing.
The statement noted that the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, also assured the public that rescue operations would be sustained and further intensified until all missing persons were rescued.
“Recall that the ill-fated canoe, carrying over 50 passengers en route to Goronyo Market, capsized in Kojiyo village on Sunday. Initial operations had led to the rescue of 10 passengers, while the intensified efforts yielded an additional 15 rescues. Authorities also recovered seven motorcycles from the river.
“To enhance the effectiveness of the operation, the management of Goronyo Dam has temporarily closed the dam for two days, allowing divers and rescuers greater access to the affected area,” it stated.
It said the NEMA rescue team, led by the Head of the Agency’s Sokoto Operations Office, Mr. Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi, remained fully deployed at the scene.
“The team is working in close collaboration with the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, National Inland Waterways Authority, Goronyo Local Government Authority, and local divers to sustain the coordinated search and rescue operations.
“The Director-General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, reaffirmed NEMA’s unwavering commitment to saving lives, supporting affected families, and providing timely updates to the public,” it added.
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