A boat conveying 200 people from Mundi to Gbajebo for the annual Maulud (an annual Islamic celebration) in Mokwa local government area of Niger State night capsized on Tuesday.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the accident occurred when the boat hit a tree subsumed by the rising water level on River Niger.
Confirming this to LEADERSHIP on Wednesday, the Director Media and Strategy, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Habibu Abubakar Wushishi said, “The incidence occurred yesterday 1st October, 2024 around 8:30pm while conveying 200 passengers; search and rescue has since commence”.
“The cause of the mishap is yet to be ascertained but the ministry is working assiduously with the ministry of transport, Niger State Emergency Management Agency and National Inland Waterways to unravel the circumstance(s) of the accident,” he added
Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Abdullahi Baba Arah confirmed, that so far local divers and his men have so far rescued 150 of the passengers.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Mokwa local government council, Jibrin Muregi however said the number of those who died is yet to be known as search and rescue is ongoing.
Details later…
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