A devastating boat accident near Baro and Akwanu towns in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State has claimed the lives of 22 people, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed on Friday.
The tragic event occurred in the early hours of Thursday, around 2 a.m., when a boat carrying approximately 50 passengers capsized while traveling from Ebe Community in Kogi State to the Katcha market in Niger State.
According to NSEMA Director-General, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the victims included traders who were heading to the market.
Local divers, community volunteers, and members of the Agaie Local Government Emergency Committee, led by NSEMA, have been at the scene conducting search and rescue operations.
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“So far, eight people have been rescued alive, and 22 bodies have been recovered,” Baba-Arah stated.
Of the recovered bodies, 18 were identified as residents of Kogi State, while the remaining four were from the Akwanu community in Agaie LGA, Niger State.
The Director-General assured that the search for more survivors is ongoing and promised to provide further updates to the public.
The tragic incident has plunged the affected communities into mourning as families await news of their loved ones. Local authorities have urged residents to exercise caution when traveling by water, particularly during the peak of the rainy season when rivers are at their fullest and most dangerous.
