At least 60 bodies have been recovered after a boat carrying 300 passengers capsized in Niger State.
According to a statement from Abubakar Dakani, the Press Secretary to the Council Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, the boat capsized at the Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area yesterday evening.
The boat was en route from Mundi to Gbajibo for the Annual Maulud celebration when the accident occurred. The statement also confirmed that Council Chairman Abdullahi Muregi reported the recovery of around 60 bodies, with 10 survivors located so far.
Rescue operations, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and local volunteers, are ongoing to find the remaining missing passengers.
Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of NSEMA, also confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday. He reported that 150 people were rescued thanks to the quick response of the agency and community volunteers.
Baba-Arah added that the cause of the accident is still under investigation.
“The boat mishap took place last night, October 1, around 8:30 pm on the River Niger, upstream from the Jebba Dam,” the statement said.
“The boat, carrying about 300 passengers, mostly women and children, was traveling from the Mundi community to Gbajibo for Mawlid celebrations.
The agency, along with the state Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers, is overseeing search and rescue operations. Accurate and timely updates will be provided.”
