Tragedy struck in Niger State on Sunday when 24 persons lost their lives in a passenger boat that capsized in the Mokwa area of the state.
The exact number of people onboard the boat and the cause of the accident is yet to be confirmed as at the time of filing this report.
The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, Jibrin Muregi, confirmed the incident, saying rescue efforts are ongoing.
He said 21 dead bodies were recovered, adding that the victims were from three communities of Gbajibo, Ekwa and Yankyade located in between Kanji dam and River Niger in Jebba.
Spokesman of the state police command, Wasiu Abiodun also confirmed the boat mishap.
He, however, said available information at the police disposal suggest that 13 people lost their lives.
“Information received from Gbajibo area of Mokwa indicated that a wooden boat conveying some passengers on board from Gbajibo water side heading to Tungan-Mango for farming activities capsized.
“On receiving the report, DPO Mokwa Division mobilised police teams, including marine police to the scene, in collaboration with local divers and so far thirteen persons confirmed dead as search and rescue operation is ongoing.
‘Further development will be made public,” he said.
The latest incident is coming barely three months when a boat carrying families returning from a wedding sank in a river in Kwara State, killing over 100 people on board.
Meanwhile, Governor, Umaru Bago, has commiserated with the families of the victims of the boat mishap.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described the incident as terrible and undesirable.
“This is quite a shocking and sorrowful situation to the people of the affected communities and I share in their sorrow.
” I pray that Allah will grant the deceased Aljannah Firdausi,” the statement partly read.
The governor directed the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), to do all within its capacity to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
The governor also prayed that Allah would comfort the families of the deceased and grant quick recovery to those injured.
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He, however, reiterated the importance of the use of life jackets when boarding boats, discouraging overcrowding on boats.
It was reported that a boat carrying over 100 persons onboard including women and children from adjoining communities to New Gbajibo Resettlement heading to Old Gbajibo capsized.
The victims, who were said to be from Gbajibo, Ekwa and Yankyade communities, were going for farming activities when the incident occurred on Sunday morning.(ChannelsTV/vitalnewsngr.com)
