NIWA, Army Debunks Bandits Drowning Report in Sokoto

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigerian Army have dismissed as false reports claiming that about 150 bandits drowned in a boat accident in Sabon Birni area of Sokoto State.

NIWA’s Sokoto Area Manager, Bello Bala, said the viral story was fake, noting that the river mentioned is not navigable and that no such incident was reported by local communities or water users’ groups. He urged the public and media organisations to verify information before sharing it.

Army sources also confirmed that troops operating in the area had no record of any boat mishap involving bandits.

Meanwhile, troops recorded operational success during an offensive targeting hideouts linked to notorious bandit leader Bello Turji in the Fakai and Kagara Forest axis.

Several bandits were neutralised in a fierce clash, although three soldiers and one DSS operative were injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

Security officials therefore called on the public to ignore the false drowning report and rely on verified updates.