Report of 150 bandits drowning in Sokoto river fake – NIWA

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has officially debunked the viral reports claiming that approximately 150 bandits drowned in a boat mishap in Sokoto State.

The reports, which gained traction over the weekend (March 21–22, 2026), originated from social media posts and was picked up by several news outlets. However, official sources have now clarified that the story is entirely fabricated.

The Official Denial
NIWA's Statement: Mr. Bello Bala, the NIWA Area Manager for the Sokoto Zonal Office, dismissed the report as "fake" during an interview on Monday, March 23, 2026. He clarified that no such incident occurred and noted that the river mentioned in the viral reports is not even navigable.

Military Confirmation: Sources from the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto also confirmed the report was false. They stated that troops are stationed throughout the area and have received no reports of any boat capsizing involving bandits.

Police and Local Response: The Sokoto State Police Command described the claim as a "blatant lie." Local residents in the Sabon Birni and Gada Local Government Areas—where the incident supposedly happened—pointed out that their streams have mostly dried up and there is no body of water deep enough to cause such a mass drowning.

Origins of the Rumor
The rumor appears to have started with a post by a counter-insurgency expert on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that a boat carrying armed men overturned on Saturday evening, resulting in total fatalities because the occupants could not swim.

Current Status
No record of mishap: Both the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have confirmed they have no record of this accident.

Warning to Media: NIWA has urged media houses and the public to verify security-related information with credible authorities before sharing, as such misinformation can impact the perceived security situation in the region.