Tragedy struck in Niger State yesterday after a boat capsized in the Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.
The boat mishap was said to have occurred at about 8am between the Jabba and Kainji dams.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed that over 100 persons were on board the boat.
The agency added that the victims, who were from Gbajibo, Ekwa, and Yankyade communities, were on the way to their farms located on the other side of the River Niger.
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NSEMA saves 30, says over 100 persons aboard ill-fated boat as rescue operations continue
The Public Relations Officer of NSEMA, Ibrahim Husseini, said the agency in collaboration with officials of the Mokwa LGA supported by local divers is conducting a search, rescue, and recovery operation at the scene of the incident.
Husseini said, “So far, 26 corpses have been recovered while over 30 have been rescued as the operation is ongoing. Over 100 persons are said to be on board the boat when the incident occurred.”
Also, the Chairman of Mokwa LGA, Jibrin Muregi, while confirming the incident, said rescue operations were ongoing.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the mishap.
He, however, differed on the number of casualties, saying, “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 Div mobilised police teams including marine police to the scene, in collaboration with local divers and so far thirteen persons confirmed dead as a search and rescue operation is ongoing. Further development will be made public.”
The latest incident comes three months after a boat carrying families returning from a wedding sank in a river, killing over 100 people on board.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Alhaji Umaru Bago, has expressed shock over the incident, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Bologi Ibrahim.
The statement said that Bago described the incident as terrible and undesirable, saying “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.”
While commiserating with the families of the victims, the Governor directed NSEMA to do the needful 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.
He, however, reiterated the importance of the use of life jackets when boarding a boat and for people to desist from overcrowding boats
