Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
The escalating water crisis in Sokoto Metropolis turned tragic on Sunday when a teenager, identified as Salim, drowned while attempting to fetch water from the state’s Water Board reservoir.
The incident, which occurred at the water treatment plant in Tashar Illela, has ignited public outrage and renewed calls for immediate government intervention.
According to an eyewitness, Salim, who was trying to collect water for his elderly parents, slipped and fell into the open reservoir, also known as a clarifier, and drowned before help could reach him.
“The boy was just trying to help his parents,” said Attahiru Shehu a resident of the state capital and a witness at the scene. “He struggled to stay afloat, but the water pulled him under. It was heartbreaking to watch.”
The death of Salim marks a grim turning point in a crisis that has left thousands of residents desperate for access to clean water.
The worsening water scarcity has forced residents, including young children, to flock daily to the Water Board facility in search of water for basic household needs.
Buckets, jerry cans, and bowls have become a common sight on the streets of Sokoto, as families scramble for the limited supply.
“This is not just a crisis it’s a catastrophe,” lamented Aisha Ladan, a mother of 3. “We wake up each day not knowing if we’ll find water. Now a child is gone. How many more will die before the state government acts?”
Tension quickly escalated following the tragic news of the incident, prompting officials from the Sokoto State Water Board to flee to the scene.
Enraged residents gathered in protest, blaming the agency for negligence and failure to address the prolonged water shortages.
A detachment of police officers was deployed to disperse the angry crowd and restore calm.
“The Water Board has failed us,” said Garba Musa, a local elder who also came to fetch water from the reservoir. “They keep promising improvements, but the situation keeps getting worse. This is unacceptable.”
Despite repeated assurances from state authorities, the water supply in Sokoto remains erratic and insufficient.
Many areas have gone weeks without a drop from their taps, forcing residents to rely on unsafe sources and distant water points.
Health experts warn that the crisis poses not only logistical challenges but also public health risks.
“Stagnant water and communal collection points can lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases,” noted Dr. Sharifatu Badamasi, a local health official. “We are sitting on a ticking time bomb.”
In the wake of the incident, calls for both immediate and long-term solutions have intensified. Residents are demanding transparent communication, improved infrastructure, and emergency water relief to prevent further tragedies.
“This could have been avoided,” said Hauwa Aliyu, a primary school teacher and community organizer. “We need leadership, not lip service. Salim’s death must not be in vain.”
The state government is yet to issue a formal statement on the drowning, but sources say the state government is making a frantic effort to address the water crisis.
Meanwhile, families across Sokoto continue to wait with buckets, wheelbarrows, and hope in short supply.
“We’ve lost a life today,” said community leader Sani Ibrahim. “But if we don’t act now, more lives will be at risk.
“Water is life, and the people of Sokoto deserve better,” he added.
