Forty-one persons have reportedly died in a boat accident that occurred in Gummi town in Gummi LGA of Zamfara state.
The boat, conveying over 50 passengers, capsized shortly after leaving the shore on Saturday.
Twelve passengers were rescued alive, while the remaining 41 drowned.
Suleiman Gummi, the lawmaker representing Gummi-Bukkuyum federal constituency in the house of representatives, commiserated with the families of the victims.
“I received with a rude shock the tragic news of a canoe capsizing accident in Gummi,” the lawmaker said in a statement.
“It’s indeed a very unfortunate and sad incident, but as people of faith, we have to submit to the will of Allah.
“We pray that Allah SWA grants eternal rest to the departed souls, the bereaved families the fortitude to bear this loss, and speedy recovery to the survivors who are traumatised by it.”
The latest boat accident in Zamfara highlights the worrying trend of repeated mishaps in Nigeria’s waterways.
On January 8, about eight people died in a boat accident that occurred in Anambra, while 20 people were killed in another boat mishap in Rivers state.
On January 15, over 100 people went missing in a boat mishap in Niger state.
In April, Junior Pope Odowodo, a Nollywood actor, and two others died during a boat mishap in Anambra state.