A fully loaded boat carrying traders from Onugwa to Ilushi market in Ibaji Local Government of Kogi State has capsized with all the passengers on board.
Also among the victims are those who came for a burial in Onugwa and were returning to base.
The incident happened on River Niger on Tuesday afternoon.
Only five survivors have surfaced yet while 20 bodies have so far been recovered.
Many of the passengers in the boat’s are still missing as at the time of this report.
A resident of one of the communities disclosed the incident via a post on a Whatsapp group.
The resident simply posted : “Sad news!
With heavy heart I bring to the notice of everyone on this platform that a boat departing from Onugwa in Ibaji heading to Ilushi market has capsized and with what we are hearing..
“It was fully loaded with our people going to market for the first of October celebration.
“Only five survivors have surfaced yet and 20 bodies have been recovered so far and more of our people are lying lifeless beneath the River Niger, including those who came for a burial in Onugwa and returning back are missing.
“We are yet to confirm the number of people onboard and those who survived. Thanks.”
The Manager, Corporate Affairs, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Makama Sulaiman, did not reply the message sent to him to speak on the incident.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
