(Xinhua/Zhang Weiyi)

ABUJA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-one people were confirmed killed after a boat capsized in Nigeria's northwestern state of Sokoto, local authorities said on Friday. The boat with an estimated 50 passengers on board overturned in strong currents in a river in the Gandi district of Sokoto state on Thursday, Suleiman Karim of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told AFP news agency. Responders recovered the bodies of 17 women and four children on board the overloaded boat, which capsized due to strong waves in Gida Kare district of the state on Thursday, the National Emergency Management Agency said. The 29 other victims were able to make it to shore during a rescue operation, said Suleiman Karim, a NEMA personnel. The passengers were heading to Garin Kare village on the other side of the river to check on their homes, which they deserted following deadly attacks last month by suspected cattle thieves in neighbouring villages.
21 people are killed after a boat capsizes in Nigeria's northwestern state of Sokoto.