• Lawmaker confirms rescue of 26 persons in Sokoto boat mishap

The Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) has transported more than three million passengers in the last five years, a significant milestone announced by the company’s Managing Director, Abdoulbaq Balogun, at its 2025 Strategic Management Retreat.  
 
The event, themed ‘Advancing Water Transportation for a Sustainable Lagos’, focused on expanding water transportation as a key part of the state’s multi-modal transit system.
 
Balogun noted that since its re-launch in February 2020, LAGFERRY has been a major player in easing Lagos’ notorious road congestion. He credited Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s support for the company’s success, highlighting the addition of 14 new boats to the fleet since 2020. This expansion brought the total number of boats to 19, allowing the agency to scale its operations dramatically.
 
“From February 2020 to June 2025, LAGFERRY’s achievements include completing 27,337 trips, covering over 745,851 kilometres on the waterways, operating for 31,272 hours, equivalent to over 1,303 days, creating 300 jobs and moving 923,120 trucks via multi-purpose barges,” he said.

BUT the member representing Goronyo-Gada Federal Constituency of Sokoto in the House of Representatives, Bashir Gorau, has disclosed that 26 persons have been rescued so far following the recent boat accident in the state.

Gorau spoke yesterday, a few days after about 40 people were feared missing after a boat carrying more than 50 passengers to a market, capsized on Sunday morning in Sokoto.
 
“So currently, the situation is under monitoring, and our local king of our waters, like Sarkin Ruwas, they are doing their best to continue rescuing operations, and so far so good, they have succeeded in rescuing 26 people out of the predicted number,” the lawmaker told the press.