Over 150 bandits drown as boat capsizes in Sokoto

No fewer than 150 suspected bandits have reportedly drowned after a boat conveying them capsized in Sabon Gida area of Sokoto State.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the incident occurred on Saturday evening when the overcrowded vessel, carrying a large number of armed men, overturned while crossing a water body.

The sources said the occupants were thrown into the water as the boat capsized, with many reportedly unable to swim.

“Preliminary information suggests that many of them could not swim, leading to heavy casualties,” a source said.

Initial reports indicate that none of the occupants survived, although there has been no official confirmation from security agencies as at the time of filing this report.

If confirmed, the development could deal a significant blow to criminal networks operating across parts of the North-West region.