A tragic boat accident in Niger State has claimed the lives of at least 22 passengers.
The incident occurred when a boat carrying passengers from Kasabu village in the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State to Yauri in Kebbi State capsized during a downpour accompanied by heavy wind on Monday morning.
A search and rescue team, working tirelessly since the accident, has managed to recover six bodies, including that of a Kebbi pastor who was based in Niger State.
According to PUNCH, most of the victims were en route to the Monday Market in Yauri, Kebbi State when the tragic incident unfolded.
Hussaine Ibrahim, the spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, stated that many of the victims were not wearing life jackets.
“We received a report from our desk officers in Agwara of the boat incident that occurred on Monday between 11 am and 12 am.”
“Since morning, there has been serious rain there, and it has made it difficult for the search and rescue team to achieve much results,” explained Ibrahim.
“The rain has been making things difficult. Our man on the ground said they recovered more bodies today. They have been on the water since morning but the rain disrupted the operation.”
“They recovered four bodies in the morning today and recovered two this evening. The victims are from Niger State but one of them is from Zuru in Kebbi State,” he added.
