At least 60 bodies have been recovered after a boat carrying 300 people capsised in Niger State.
According to a Press Release by the Press Secretary to the Council Chairman of Mokwa local government Council, Abubakar Dakani, the boat capsised at the notorious Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State on Tuesday evening.
He said the boat was travelling from Mundi to Gbajibo for the Annual Maulud celebration when the incident happened.
The government spokesman also confirmed that Council Chairman Abdullahi Muregi acknowledged the recovery of approximately 60 bodies, while 10 survivors have been found.
It added that rescue efforts in collaboration with the State emergency management agency and locals are ongoing to recover others who are missing.
Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA),
Abdullahi Baba-Arah,
also confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.
He noted that 150 persons were rescued following the swift response of the agency and other community volunteers.
Baba-Arah said the agency is yet to ascertain the cause of the mishap.
“The boat mishap occurred last night Oct. 1, around 8:30 pm on the River Niger, upstream Jebba dam,” the statement reads.
“The boat carrying approximately 300 passengers, mostly women and children, was travelling from Mundi community for Mawlid celebrations at Gbajibo.
“The agency in collaboration with the state Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers, are directing and monitoring search and rescue operations”.
