Barely a month after a boat mishap claimed several lives in Niger State, another mishap has claimed two lives and left two injured in Katcha Local government area of the state.
Our correspondent gathered yesterday that the two dead victims were children and that the incident occurred when the engine of the boat went aflame due to some mechanical problems.
It was learnt that the boat was going to Danbo village in Kogi State and they were returning from Katcha market in Niger State.
The Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) head, Ibrahim Hussaini, while confirming the incident, said; “At about 6:00 pm when the boat engine caught fire due to mechanical failure, a jerry can of petrol stored inside the boat that had 45 people on board went aflame.
“The occupants were from Danbo community in Kogi State, they were on their way back from Katcha market. So far, one corpse has been recovered while the search is still ongoing for the second,” he added.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed sadness over the death of two people.
The governor in a statement by his chief press secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described the incident as terrible and painful, adding that incidents around water transportation, leading to loss of lives in riverine communities in the state were becoming too frequent.
He urged the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to urgently take proactive measures to halt the ugly trend.
He also commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the incident and prayed to God to receive the souls of the departed and grant quick recovery to those injured.
