The Nigerian government denies reports of the drowning of 150 bandits in the Sokoto river

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has denied reports that at least 150 bandits drowned in a boat accident in the Sabon Gida area of ​​Sabon Birni Local Government Area of ​​Sokoto State.

NIWA Area Manager in charge of Sokoto Zonal Office, Mr. Bello Bala, in a chat with journalists on Monday, rejected the report, calling it fake news.

Bala said there was no such incident, adding that the river was not navigable.

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He appealed to the media to always verify news from credible sources before publishing it.

The area manager reiterated that NIWA has engaged riverside communities regarding safety measures, guidelines, use of life jackets, and other considerations regarding water use.

He emphasized that if such an incident occurs, the community will report it to the leadership of the water user association in the area.