Sodiq Rabiu
NIGER, Nigeria – No fewer than 42 people have died after a wooden canoe carrying nearly 300 person capsized on Tuesday in Nigeria’s Niger State, local media reported.
The incident reportedly happened in Gbajibo community in the Mokwa Local Government area of the North-Central state. More than 150 passengers were declared missing following the incident.
The boat which was said to be carrying more women and children was conveying the passengers to celebrate the maulud in the Gbajibo community in the state.
The Director General of Niger State Emergency Management Agency NSEMA. NSEMA Abdullahi Baba-Arah said on Friday that rescue and search operations were still going on to recover more victims.
“From 6 pm yesterday to 10 am this morning, 6 more dead bodies were recovered, bringing the total to 42 corpses,” Baba-Arah said in a statement.
“The boat was sailing from Mundi Community with a population of almost 300 passengers comprising mostly women and children for the Maulud 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.
“The search and rescue operation is still ongoing to locate more survivors, and the general public will be provided with the update,” the NSEMA boss said.