The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has said over 150 persons have been rescued so far after a boat mishap in Gabjibo community of Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.
The Director-General of NSEMA, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah said this in a statement on Wednesday, 02 October, 2024 adding that the stride was achieved due to prompt response from community volunteers.
It was gathered that about 150 people were confirmed dead following a boat mishap in the State.
The tragedy occurred at the Gbajibo community of the Mokwa Local Government Area around 8:30 p.m. on Monday.
The boat, reportedly carrying about 300 passengers, was returning from a Muslim festival when the incident occurred.
The Director of Media and Strategy for the Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Malam Habibu Wushishi, confirmed the incident in a press statement issued on Wednesday in Minna. He highlighted that a rescue mission is underway.
Baba-Arah stated that the cause of the mishap is yet to be determined, adding that it is intensifying search and rescue operations.
“The boat mishap occurred last night Oct. 1, around 8:30 pm on the River Niger upstream Jebba dam.
“The boat was carrying approximately 300 passengers, mostly women and children, and was travelling from the Mundi community for Maulid celebrations at Gbajibo.
The agency in collaboration with the state Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers, are directing and monitoring search and rescue operations,” he said.
“The agency will provide accurate and timely updates on the situation,” Arah assured.
Meanwhile, the Press Secretary to the Council Chairman of Mokwa local government, Abubakar Dakani, said in a release that the boat was carrying over 300 passengers when it capsised.
According to Dakani slthe boat was travelling from Mundi to Gbajibo for the Annual Maulud celebration when tragedy struck.
The release also confirmed that Council Chairman Abdullahi Muregi acknowledged the recovery of approximately 60 bodies, while 10 survivors have been found.
Similarly in August, there was an explosion of a moving wooden boat in Ezetu community Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State which claimed the lives of 20 persons with several others who got injured.
The explosion happened when the engine of the wooden boat popularly known as ‘Denghe’ and used as a moving market’ caught fire after the explosion in the middle of the river and sank at Ezetu l community river.
