A boat mishap has claimed the lives of 27 people in Gbajibo, Kaiama local government area of Kwara State.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the incident occurred on Thursday when the victims were returning from Niger State where they had gone for trading activities at a weekly market.
A survivor who blamed the incident on overloading said it happened at night.
The chairman of the local government of Kaiama, Abdullah Danladi, confirmed the boat mishap on Sunday during a telephone conversation with LEADERSHIP.
He said that he had led a government delegation to commiserate with the victims’ families.
He added that the government will set up a committee to enforce the use of life jackets by boat passengers.
Danladi said the government would also halt night travel as part of measures to end the incessant boat mishaps in the riverine areas.
The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Omar, expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident.
The monarch said efforts would be intensified to ensure passengers and boat operators adhere to water travel safety protocols.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has commiserated with the families of the victims of the Gbajibo boat mishap.
In a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor also condoled with the government of Niger State on the sad incident.
“The governor again urges boat operators and passengers to adhere to safety regulations for the good of all, describing as painful and unacceptable a culture of not using safety gadgets repeatedly provided by the government.
He prays to God to repose the victims’ souls,” the statement said.
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