At least 10 bodies were recovered Wednesday after a boat carrying more than 100 women and children broke apart on a river in Kebbi State, a local official said.
The vessel, ferrying about 100 passengers returning from a farm on the River Niger, broke in half as it approached Samanaji village in Koko-Besse area of the State.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the ill-fated boat was overloaded with passengers “beyond its capacity,” according to Yahaya Bello Koko.
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“We have recovered 10 passengers with the help of local divers while searches for 10 others still missing continue.
“The 10 missing are presumed to have drowned, considering the long hours they have spent in the river,” Koko added.
He, however, revealed that more than 80 passengers were rescued.
The Kebbi State emergency officials could not be immediately reached for comment on the incident.
Capsizes are common on Nigerian waterways due to frequent overloading and lack of maintenance.
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