150 Persons Missing After Boat Capsized In Niger
Tragedy struck on Tuesday, October One, 2024, being Nigeria’s Independence Day as no fewer than 150 Mawlid celebrants were reported missing after a boat conveying 300 people capsized at Gbajibo village in Mokwa LGA of Niger State.
Reports said the victims, mostly women and children, left Mundi Community for Gbajibo to mark Mawlid, when the boat capsized midway during the trip.
Eyewitness accounts said local divers swung into action immediately and succeeded in rescuing some of the passengers alive.
The reports also confirmed by the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed that the accident occurred around 8.30pm a short distance away from the victims’ destination and this was confirmed
Alhaji Arab could not give account on whether lives were lost in the incident, but said; “NSEMA has received a report of a boat mishap that occurred last night, 1st October 2024, around 8.30 pm. on river Niger upstream Jebba dam, at Gbajibo Community in Mokwa Local Government
“The boat was sailing from Mundi Community with a population of almost 300 passengers comprising mostly women and children for Mawlid celebration at Gbajibo.
“NSEMA is directing and monitoring search and rescue operations in collaboration with the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, brave local divers, and other community volunteers”.
The NSEMA boss said over 150 persons have so far been rescued, even as the search and rescue operation was still ongoing to rescue more victims.
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