No fewer than 150 suspected bandits have reportedly drowned after a boat conveying them capsized in Sabon Gida area of Sokoto State.

Local sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Saturday evening when the vessel, carrying a large number of armed men, overturned while crossing a water body in the area.

The sources said the bandits were travelling in large numbers when the boat suddenly capsized, throwing all occupants into the water.

“Preliminary information suggests that many of them could not swim, leading to heavy casualties,” a source said.

Initial reports indicated that none of the occupants survived the incident, although there has been no official confirmation from security agencies as at the time of filing this report.

The development, if confirmed, is expected to deal a significant blow to criminal groups operating in parts of the North-West region.