About 40 people are feared dead after a boat carrying farmers and labourers to their rice farms capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The incident occurred when the victims were crossing a stream to access their farms.
Most of those on board were reportedly children aged between 10 and 15 years.
An eyewitness said more than 70 people were on the boat when it capsized shortly after departure.
The village head was also among the passengers but was reportedly rescued.
“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” a local journalist who was at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, told our reporter.
Kiliya said the victims comprised farm owners and labourers engaged to harvest rice.
According to him, the canoe capsized shortly after taking off, prompting local divers to begin rescue operations.
“Rescue operations are still ongoing, with local divers searching for those still missing and recovering bodies,” he said.
The number of casualties could rise as the search for missing passengers continue.