Scores of passengers have been reported missing when a passenger boat with about 100 persons on board capsized in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Disaster Officer, Borgu LGA in the state, Mallam Musa Said, disclosed that five bodies have so far been recovered while search and rescue operations were still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.
The Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the incident to our correspondent, saying that the number of deaths and survivors were yet to be established.
He said the boat took off from Dugga Mashaya in Dugga ward, Borgu LGA heading to Wara market in Kebbi State with passengers estimated to be around a hundred in number and goods, such as grains and sugar cane.
Arah said, “NASEMA has received a report of a boat mishap that occurred at Borgu LGA. The incident happened this afternoon, Monday 15th January 2024, at about 2:05pm.
“No clear information about deaths and survivors yet. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are ongoing by the local divers, NSEMA desk officers, and local government officials. Updates will be forwarded as they are received.”
However unconfirmed sources attributed the incident to waves of the river and overloading.
Niger State has experienced several boat mishaps in the last few months that claimed several lives.
The latest incident was in November 2023 in Shiroro LGA where no fewer than 10 lives were lost.
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