The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has debunked reports alleging that about 150 bandits drowned in a boat mishap in the Sabon Gida area of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The NIWA Area Manager in charge of the Sokoto Zonal Office, Mr Bello Bala, dismissed the report as fake in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Sokoto.
Bala said there was no such incident, adding that the river mentioned was not navigable.
He appealed to the media to be wary of spreading misinformation and to always verify news from credible sources, assuring that the authority was readily available to provide clarification.
The area manager reiterated that NIWA had been engaging riverine communities on safety measures, guidelines, the use of life jackets, and other considerations regarding water transportation.
He stressed that “if such an incident had occurred, community members would have reported it to water users’ association leaders.”
Meanwhile, a source from the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto also confirmed that the report was false, stating that no such incident occurred in the area.
The source, who pleaded anonymity, said troops were present across the area and that there had been no report of any boat capsizing involving bandits.
(NAN)