The National Inland Waterways Authority has dismissed reports claiming that about 150 bandits drowned in a boat accident in the Sabon Gida area of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The NIWA Area Manager for the Sokoto Zonal Office, Bello Bala, described the report as false during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Sokoto.
According to Bala, no such incident occurred in the area, adding that the river mentioned in the reports is not navigable.
He urged media organisations and the public to avoid spreading misinformation and to verify reports with credible authorities before publication.
Bala also noted that the agency has continued to educate riverine communities on safety practices, including the use of life jackets and adherence to guidelines for water transportation.
He explained that if such an incident had occurred, it would have been reported by members of the community or leaders of water users’ associations.
Meanwhile, a source from the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division in Sokoto also confirmed that the report was false, stating that no boat accident involving bandits had been recorded in the area.
The source, who requested anonymity, added that military troops were present across the region and had not received any report of a boat capsizing involving suspected bandits
