Public affairs commentator Idris Almustapha has criticised the Sokoto State Government for what he described as a delayed response to the deadly boat mishap in the Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area.

Almustapha said the visit by former Governor and Senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to the community on Sunday came four days after the August 20, 2026 tragedy, which claimed the lives of dozens of people, mostly women and children.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday titled, “Very Late and of No Consequence: Visit to Goronyo by Sokoto State Government Delegation,” Almustapha said the absence of senior government officials during the immediate rescue operation and funeral prayers left residents disappointed.

He said although Wamakko’s visit should be appreciated, it came after the community had already endured the loss and burial of many victims.

According to him, the first batch of 48 bodies had been prepared for burial, but “no government delegation was at the scene,” adding that the Local Government Chairman only arrived later in the afternoon for the Janaza prayers.

The Gorau boat mishap occurred on Thursday, August 20, when a canoe carrying residents reportedly capsized in the community, leaving about 65 persons dead.

The incident triggered rescue efforts as community members and other volunteers rushed to the area.

Early reports indicated that dozens of people were on board, with women and children reportedly making up a significant proportion of the passengers.

Casualty figures have varied as rescue and recovery operations continued, with reports putting the number of dead at more than 40, while later estimates rose above 60.

Several others were rescued alive, while some passengers were initially reported missing.

The tragedy sparked widespread concern across the state and renewed calls for improved safety measures for riverine communities, particularly the provision of life jackets, safer boats, and effective emergency response mechanisms.

Almustapha recalled that the Sokoto State Government had previously announced plans to procure modern boats and 2,000 life jackets for riverine communities following earlier boat accidents.

He questioned why the promised equipment had allegedly not been deployed before the Gorau incident.

“If the boats and life jackets had been procured and distributed as promised, the deaths that occurred in Gorau might not have been so high,” he said.

Almustapha also questioned why other communities affected by bandit attacks and other disasters had allegedly not received similar visits from government officials.

He listed communities in Sabon Birni, Isa, Goronyo, Wurno, Rabah, Tureta, and Kebbe Local Government Areas, which he said had suffered killings, kidnappings, displacement, livestock rustling, and destruction of property.

He particularly cited recent attacks in Kebbe Local Government Area, including Ungushi, where scores of residents were reportedly killed, saying the government had yet to demonstrate a similar level of engagement with affected communities.

The commentator further alleged that the renewed government attention to Gorau could have political undertones ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He claimed that the visit was intended partly to strengthen the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area and undermine the political influence of the member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bashir Usman Gorau.

Almustapha, however, maintained that the people of Goronyo and Gada would ultimately determine who represents them based on the performance of their elected representatives.

He urged the state government to develop a consistent policy of visiting and supporting communities affected by insecurity, disasters, and other emergencies, irrespective of their political affiliations.

While acknowledging Wamakko’s visit, he said the timing had diminished its significance.

“What Senator Wamakko did for the people of Gorau can only be described as coming very late and of no consequence,” Almustapha said.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the response of the state government were not successful, as the spokesman to the state government, Abubakar Bawa, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

However, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the state government is not ready to exchange words with any social critics.

He reaffirmed that the state government, through one of its agencies, SEMA, had intervened immediately by sending a rescue team, which led to the successful evacuation of 15 persons.

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