The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the ban followed the death of 17 people after the canoe in which they were travelling on sank in the Dukku River on June 22.
The council Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Zauro, told NAN that the ban was adopted to avert further tragedies in the area, pointing out that the canoes lacked safety measures such as inflated containers to assist victims of accidents.
In the latest tragedy, an over-loaded canoe with 17 people travelling from Birnin Kebbi to Samba Doguwa struck an object and sank.
The chairman said the ill-fated canoe embarked on the journey after sunset while only seven people survived the accident.
Zauro said, “If the canoe had safety devices many would have survived,” pointing out that there would be no more night journey by canoe in the area.
The Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, who witnessed the rescue operation by local fishermen, also advised people to shun travelling in over-loaded canoes.
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