President Muhammadu Buhari has described the news of a capsized boat in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State as devastating, offering his heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected by this tragedy.
MBD earlier reported that the overloaded boat carrying 180 passengers from Kebbi state to a market in Borgu local government area of Niger state capsized on Wednesday.
National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the incident, adding that four people have been confirmed dead, 20 rescued alive while 156 peopleare still missing.
Read Also: Kebbi Boat Mishap: National Inland Waterways Declares 4 Dead, 156 Missing
The boat was travelling between central Niger state and Wara in northwest Kebbi state when it went down, NIWA local manager, Yusuf Birma said.
While efforts are ongoing to recover more survivors, the President extended his gratitude to all those involved in the rescue efforts and wishes those injured from the accident quick recovery.
Buhari in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, commiserated with the families of the victims.
Read Also: 28 Dead, Seven Missing In Niger Boat Mishap
He described the news of the capsizing as devastating, offering his heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected by this tragedy.
According to the President’s spokesman, there are indications that the boat was overloaded and there is no official confirmation on the number of casualties.
The statement partly reads;
While efforts are ongoing to recover more survivors, the President extends his gratitude to all those involved in the rescue efforts and wishes those injured from the accident quick recovery.
Meanwhile, Local district administrator, Abdullahi Buhari Wara blamed the accident on overloading as the boat was meant to ferry no more than 80 passengers.
Read Also: 12 Confirmed Dead In Niger Boat Mishaps
Boat tragedies are common on Nigerian waterways mostly due to overcrowding, bad weather and lack of maintenance, but Wednesday’s toll would be one of the deadliest recent accidents.
Early this month 30 people drowned when an overloaded boat capsized in Niger state.
Read Also: Seven Confirmed Dead In Sokoto Boat Mishap
The boat ferrying 100 local traders split into two after hitting a stump during a storm as they were returning from a local market, according to emergency officials.
Niger is West Africa’s main river running in a crescent through Guinea to Nigeria’s Niger Delta and is a key local trade route for some of the countries.
