Divers, on Monday, began a search for passengers of a boat that capsized in Niger State while travelling to Kebbi State.
It was learnt that the boat had over 100 passengers on board, among them traders conveying grains and sugarcane to a market in Kebbi State.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Salihu Garba, in a statement on Monday, said, “The Niger State Emergency Management Agency received a report of a boat mishap that occurred in the Borgu Local Government Area.
“The incident happened this afternoon, Monday 15th, January 2024, at about 2:05 pm. The boat took off from Dugga Mashaya in Dugga ward heading towards Wara market in Kebbi State with passengers estimated to be around a hundred in number, as well as goods, such as grains and sugarcane.
“As of the time of writing this interim report, no clear information about death and survivors was received. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are ongoing by the local divers.”
Boats accidents are becoming recurrent in Niger State. On November 16, 2023, a boat accident in the Shiroro area of the state claimed 34 lives. Among the victims were 10 children.
NSEMA attributed the boat accident water hyacinth and strong waves.
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