- Safiu Kehinde
A boat conveying over 300 passengers has, capsized in River Niger leaving many feared missing.
The mishap reportedly occured on Tuesday night at Gbajibi Community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger state.
Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) disclosed that that the victims of the mishap were mostly women and children heading to Gbajibi for Maulid celebration.
As contained in the statement made available to NPO Reports, over 150 persons have been rescued following swift response by the members of the community while search is still ongoing for others.
The statement read in part; “NSEMA has received a report of a boat mishap that occurred last night,1st October 2024,around 8.30 pm. on river Niger upstream Jebba dam, at Gbajibo Community in Mokwa LGA.
“The boat was sailing from Mundi Community with a population of almost 300 passengers comprising mostly women and children for Maulid celebration at Gbajibo.
“NSEMA is directing and monitoring search and rescue operations in collaboration with the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, brave local divers, and other community volunteers.
“Thanks to the prompt response from the community volunteers, over 150 persons have been rescued alive so far. The search and rescue operation is still ongoing to locate more survivors, and the general public will be provided with the update.”