The National Inland Waterways Authority has dismissed viral reports alleging that about 150 bandits drowned in a boat mishap in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Monday, March 23, 2026, the NIWA Area Manager for Sokoto Zone, Bello Bala, said there is no record of any such incident in the area.
“There was no such incident. The mentioned river is not navigable,” Bala stated, urging members of the public to disregard the report entirely.
He cautioned media organisations and social media users against spreading unverified information, stressing the importance of proper fact-checking before publication.
Bala also noted that NIWA remains committed to engaging riverine communities on water safety practices, including the use of life jackets and adherence to safety guidelines.
He further explained that any major incident on waterways would typically be reported through local community structures, including water users’ associations and traditional leaders, which did not happen in this case.
Similarly, a source from the Nigerian Army, 8th Division in Sokoto, also dismissed the report, describing it as entirely fake.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there had been no record of any boat accident involving bandits in the area.
Authorities have urged journalists and the public to verify security related information before sharing, warning that false reports could trigger unnecessary panic.
Both NIWA and the military confirmed that no such boat mishap occurred in Sabon Birni or anywhere in Sokoto State as claimed in the viral report.
