There is an indication that the death toll in Niger boat mishap has risen to 30.
Presidential Diary had reported that over 26 persons, comprising men and women lost their lives and 30 others 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, September 10, 2023, between Jebba and Kainji Dam in Gbajibo area of Mokwa LGA.
But 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.
Providing the update on Monday in Minna, Acting Director-General of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Alhaji Garba Salihu said that the toll death rose to 30 while 30 others have been rescued.
”Yesterday (Sunday), I told you that we have recovered 24 corpses, but that same day, it later increased to 26 dead bodies.
” Today, we recovered four more corpses, making 30 in all,” Salihu added.
He added that 27 of the deceased were women, while three were male children.
The DG debunked reports that 100 passengers boarded the ill-fated boat, adding that they are yet to ascertain the exact number of passengers on board, which he believed would be difficult to trace.
Salihu noted that NSEMA had already ended the search for more bodies pending when the need arises.
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