……Minister of State for Works Visits NEMA, Pledges Support for Rescue and Flood Response
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the rescue of 15 more persons, bringing the total number of survivors to 25, in the ongoing operations following the tragic boat mishap of Sunday, in Kojiyo village, Goronyo Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
Despite the progress, 25 passengers remain unaccounted for. NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, assured that search and rescue efforts will be sustained and intensified until every missing person is found.
The ill-fated canoe, carrying over 50 passengers en route to Goronyo Market, capsized in Kojiyo village. Initial operations rescued 10 passengers, while intensified efforts have saved an additional 15. Authorities also recovered seven motorcycles from the river.
To aid divers and rescue teams, the management of Goronyo Dam temporarily shut down operations for two days, allowing unrestricted access to the affected area.
The NEMA rescue team, led by Mr. Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi, Head of Sokoto Operations Office, is working in close coordination with the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Goronyo Local Government Authority, and local divers.
Mrs. Umar reaffirmed NEMA’s unwavering commitment to saving lives, supporting affected families, and providing timely updates to the public.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bello Muhammed Goronyo, visited NEMA headquarters in Abuja to receive updates on the ongoing rescue operations and broader flood-related challenges in Sokoto State.
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Commending NEMA’s swift response to the disaster, the Minister urged the Agency to sustain momentum and further strengthen Nigeria’s disaster management system.
Mrs. Umar assured the Minister of NEMA’s commitment to efficient disaster preparedness, coordinated interventions, and robust response mechanisms to reduce the impact of both floods and emergencies across the country.
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