Four of the passenger that died in the canoe mishap that happened between Yauri Emirate in Kebbi State and Agwara are from Niger State. The four bodies were recovered from the river and taken to Niger State.
Apart from the three dead victims that were recovered by the search and rescue operation team as of Tuesday, another victim’s body was recovered yesterday morning and evacuated to Niger State, making it four dead victims from Niger State.
Spokesperson of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Ibrahim Hussaini confirmed the figure to our correspondent.
Hussaini said additional two bodies were recovered yesterday morning; one Samuel from Kebbi and another Joshua Auta from Gwagwala in Niger State.
Hussaini was not able to ascertain how many of the victims from Niger were involved in the mishap.
LEADERSHIP reported yesterday that 21 people were reported missing in the canoe mishap which occurred in Yauri River in Yauri local government area of the state. The incident took place on Monday when the overloaded canoe from Niger State sank.
The chairman of Yauri local government area, Bala Mohammed Gagga, who briefed journalists, said the incident occurred on Monday when the captain of the canoe carrying over 40 passengers, their luggage and animals from Kasabo village in Agura local government area of Niger State sank in Yauri River of Kebbi State.
Gagga said a rescue team had been deployed to the scene to search for the victims.