150 missing as boat capsizes in Niger state
At least 150 people have been reported missing after a boat capsized in the Gbajibo area of Mokwa Local Government Area, Niger State, on October 1.
The ill-fated boat was carrying mostly women and children who had departed from Mundi community to attend the Mawlid celebration in Gbajibo.
In a statement on Wednesday, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the tragic incident. Baba-Arah disclosed that the boat had about 300 passengers on board at the time of the accident, which occurred around 8:30 p.m. on the River Niger, upstream of the Jebba dam.
The swift response of NSEMA, alongside local divers and community volunteers, led to the rescue of 150 passengers. However, the cause of the mishap has yet to be determined, according to Baba-Arah.
“The agency, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Transport, the Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, and community volunteers, is overseeing the ongoing search and rescue operations,” the statement read. “We will continue to provide accurate and timely updates on the situation.”
This tragedy comes just days after another disaster in Niger State. On September 26, 11 people lost their lives, and over 41,000 were displaced due to floods in 19 local government areas of the state.
Search and rescue efforts for the missing boat passengers are ongoing.
