Tragedy as villagers drown while escaping bandits’ attack

Panic-stricken residents of Zalla Bango in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State suffered fresh tragedy when a boat carrying fleeing villagers capsized, leaving several feared dead.

Eyewitnesses said most of the victims were women who tried to cross the water on Thursday evening, shortly after Maghrib prayers, as they attempted to escape a looming raid by armed bandits.

“Many residents have resorted to fleeing their communities, crossing over the water to areas perceived as safer and less accessible to the bandits,” a local source said.

The ill-fated boat reportedly struck the edge of a collapsed culvert along the Goronyo–Sabon Birni road before it cracked and sank.

“This is not the first time we are witnessing such a tragedy in this area this year,” another resident lamented, noting that insecurity has forced people into repeated risky crossings.

Although casualty figures remain unclear, reports suggest between six and 12 lives may have been lost.

Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government, Alhaji Ayuba Hashimu, confirmed the incident but stressed that verification was ongoing.

“As at this morning, only one body – that of a woman – has been recovered from the water,” he said.

Hashimu, who visited the accident site, explained that the disaster struck as villagers scrambled to avoid yet another banditry attack.

“The boat hit the edge of a collapsed culvert, which led to its breaking and eventual sinking. We are doing everything we can to rescue survivors and retrieve the bodies of the deceased,” he said.

The chairman also revealed that motorised boats and life jackets distributed by the Sokoto State Government had reached Sabon Birni only a day before the tragedy.

Last month, six people reportedly drowned in Garin Faji, another community in the same area, while fleeing armed men.

Meanwhile, Weekend Trust gathered that bandits also attacked Kwanar Kimba village earlier in the week, killing six people.

The Sokoto State lawmaker representing the constituency, Sa’idu Ibrahim, confirmed the assault.

“Residents of the village tried to resist the attack, which led to a confrontation with the armed men. Unfortunately, six people were killed before the attackers fled.

“I just returned from the village, where I went to sympathise with the grieving families,” he said.

(DAILY TRUST)