15 girls reportedly lost their lives in a boat mishap in Dandeji village in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

It was learnt that 40 girls, who were on their way to fetch firewood at a nearby bush, were in a boat on Tuesday, as at the time it capsized, but 15 lost their lives instantly.

A resident of the area, Muhammad Ibrahim, said 15 corpses had already been recovered and local divers were still searching for the other victims.

The chairman of Shagari Local Government, Aliyu Abubakar, confirmed the accident and said the corpse of the deceased have been buried according to Muslims rites.

The Sokoto police Public Relations Officer, DSP Umar Mohammed did not pick his call for confirmation.