On Monday, a tragic boat accident claimed the lives of at least 22 passengers in Niger State. The victims were en route from Kasabu village in Niger State’s Agwara Local Government Area to Yauri in Kebbi State when the boat capsized due to a combination of heavy rain and strong winds.
As of Tuesday evening, a search and rescue team had successfully recovered six bodies, including that of a Kebbi-based pastor living in Niger State. The majority of the victims were traveling to Yauri, Kebbi State, to conduct business at the Monday Market when the tragic incident took place, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.
The spokesman for NSEMA, Hussain Ibrahim, said most of the victims were believed not to have worn lifejackets.
“We received a report from our desk officers in Agwara of the boat incident that occurred on Monday between 11 a.m… and 12 a.m.
“Since morning, there has been serious rain there and it has made it difficult for the search and rescue team to achieve much results.
“They have been in the water since morning; 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,” Ibrahim said.
