The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has reported the recovery of 24 bodies and the successful rescue of more than 30 individuals following a boat accident that occurred on Sunday in the Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.
Acting director-general of NSEMA, Garba Salihu, shared this information during an interview in Minna on Sunday.
“NSEMA received a report of a boat mishap that occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. this morning between Jebba and Kainji Dam in the Gbajibo area of Mokwa local government area.
“The agency, in collaboration with the Mokwa local government authority and the community local divers, is conducting a search, rescue and recovery operation at the scene of the incident.
“So far, 24 bodies have been recovered while over 30 persons have been rescued as the operation is still ongoing,” he said.
Mr. Salihu revealed that the ill-fated boat reportedly carried more than 100 passengers when the tragedy unfolded. These individuals, hailing from Gbajibo, Ekwa, and Yankyade communities, were en route to their farms located on the opposite bank of the River Niger, specifically the old Gbajibo area.
In response to the incident, the state governor, Umaru Bago, expressed profound shock, as conveyed in a statement by his chief press secretary, Bologi Ibrahim. Mr. Bago lamented the terrible and unfortunate nature of the event, stating, “This is an immensely shocking and sorrowful situation for the people of the affected communities, and I empathize with their grief. I pray that Allah will grant the deceased Aljannah Firdausi.”
|Peoples Gazette
