The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, has dismissed 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 Sokoto Zonal Office, Bello Bala, said to newsmen this Monday, that there was no such incident, and that the river mentioned was not open.
He also said that if such an incident had occurred, community members would have reported it to water users’ association leaders.
Bala further appealed to the media to be wary of spreading misinformation and to always verify news from credible sources, assuring that the authority was available to provide clarification.