National Inland Waterways Authority Categorically Dismisses Reports Alleging 150 Bandits Drowned in Sokoto Boat Accident

The National Inland Waterways Authority clarifies that reports of 150 bandits drowning in a Sokoto river are false, citing non-navigable water conditions.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 6:47 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Sun Nigeria

Official Repudiation of Mass Drowning Claims

The National Inland Waterways Authority issued a definitive statement on March 23, 2026, to debunk circulating rumors regarding a massive boat mishap in Sokoto State. Bello Bala, the agency’s Sokoto Area Manager, clarified that the widely shared report alleging the death of 150 bandits by drowning is entirely without merit. According to Bala, investigations into the Sabon Gida area of Sabon Birni Local Government revealed no evidence of a maritime disaster, prompting the agency to label the narrative as a fabrication designed to mislead the public.

Geographical Impossibilities and Navigational Realities

A primary factor in the agency’s dismissal of the report involves the physical characteristics of the waterway cited in the original claims. Bala pointed out that the specific stretch of the river mentioned is not navigable, making the logistics of a large scale boat accident involving over a hundred individuals highly improbable. According to the NIWA manager, the credibility of the report was further undermined by the lack of any supporting evidence from the environmental conditions of the region, which would not support the type of vessel required for such a crossing.

The Absence of Local Reporting Channels

Standard operating procedures for inland waterway accidents dictate that any significant incident is filtered through established community structures. Bala emphasized that if an event of this magnitude had transpired, it would have been immediately flagged by water users’ associations or local community leaders. According to the agency, the silence from these grassroots networks confirms that no such tragedy occurred, leading NIWA to urge media outlets to exercise higher standards of verification when handling sensitive security data.