The Niger State Emergency Management Agency has recovered an additional 16 corpses from the ill-fated boat accident in Gbajibo, Niger State.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by NSEMA Director-General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, who provided an update on the ongoing search efforts for the missing passengers.
Report from the agency says among the newly recovered bodies were two females and 14 males, adding to the earlier discovery of nine bodies—comprising two females and seven males—bringing the total number of recovered victims to 25.
The latest recovery as stated by Arah followed the declaration of 150 people as missing after the accident.
“Sixteen corpses have been recovered so far, made up of two females and 14 males,” he said. Earlier, nine bodies were recovered, consisting of two females and seven males.
The tragic incident involved a boat carrying 300 passengers from the Mundi Community, who were en route to Gbajibo for the Maulid celebration when disaster struck. While 150 passengers were rescued immediately, another 150 were declared missing.
Arah noted that the boat was overloaded with women and children, and search-and-rescue operations are still underway to recover more of the missing passengers.
“NSEMA is leading the search-and-rescue operations in collaboration with the State Ministry of Transport, the Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers,” the DG added.
The tragic incident has thrown the state into mourning loss of those who perished in the tragic accident as rescue efforts continue.
Niger Delta Connect reported earlier that The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) stated that over 150 persons were rescued 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 missing 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.
Nigerian Rivers have recorded some cases of boat mishap and explosions. In August 2024 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.
