At least, over 26 persons, comprising men and women lost their lives and 30 others have been rescued when a boat carrying farmers capsized at Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The tragic incident occured around 7.30am to 8am on Sunday morning between Jebba and Kainji Dam in Gbajibo area of Mokwa LGA.
Confirming the incident, the Acting Director-General of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Alhaji Garba Salihu said that 30 persons have so far been rescued and 26 corpses recovered at Mokwa LGA.
He disclosed that rescue operation is still ongoing as over 100 persons were said to be on board the boat before the tragic incident.
Salihu hinted that majority of the victims from Gbajibo, Ekwa and Yankyade communities boarded the boat and were heading to their farms at the other end of River Niger (old gbajibo) when the boat capsized.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Alhaji Umaru Bago expressed sadness over the incident, describing it as terrible and undesirable.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Bologi Ibrahim, quoted the governor as saying that, “This is quite a shocking and sorrowful situation to the people of the affected communities and I share in their sorrow. I pray that Allah will grant the deceased Aljannah Firdausi.”
He commiserared with the families of the victims and directed NSEMA to do the needful to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
The governor also prayed that Allah would comfort the families of the deceased and grant the injured a quick recovery.
He emphasised the need to always wear life jackets when boarding a boat, saying that people should desist from boarding overcrowded boats.
News Flash