President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday expressed sadness over the boat mishap that claimed more than 100 lives in Kwara State.
After a wedding ceremony, the boat that conveyed about 250 people from Gboti to Ebu and Dzakan Villages in Patigi Local Government Area had engine problem, leading to capsizing of the boat.
Consequently, the President has directed the relevant authorities to “unravel the immediate and remote causes” of the accident and to provide immediate relief and assistance to the survivors and families of victims.
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Tinubu’s condolence message is contained in a statement signed by the State House Director of Information Abiodun Oladunjoye, titled ‘President Tinubu mourns victims of Kwara boat accident, orders a thorough investigation.’
The President said “I am deeply saddened by the news of the tragic boat accident that claimed the lives of our people in Kwara State.
“That the victims were guests at a wedding ceremony made the unfortunate accident more painful.
“My heartfelt sympathy and condolences go to the families and friends of victims of the tragic mishap.”
Kwara Police releases details
The Kwara State Police Command has released a detailed account of Monday’s boat mishap.
A statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin by the spokesman of the command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, said the unfortunate boat accident occurred in the Patigi Local Government Area of the state at about 0300 hours on June 12, 2023.
He said information was received by the Divisional Police Officer of Patigi Divisional Headquarters to the effect that a boat accident occurred around the River Niger axis.
“The Commissioner of Police Kwara State, Paul Odama, immediately after receiving the information, dispatched a team of policemen to join the policemen and other locals already on their way to locate the exact spot the boat accident happened in the rescue efforts.
“The boat was said to have conveyed about 250 people from a village called Gboti via Patigi after a wedding ceremony to Ebu Village and Dzakan Village, all within Patigi local government area.
“On leaving the shore, one part of the boat by the engine side collapsed where water penetrated the boat, which ultimately led to the boat capsizing.
” All efforts to draw the attention of the villagers hosting the wedding ceremony for assistance by the persons in the boat proved abortive, leading to the deaths of about one hundred and six people,” the spokesman added.
Among the casualties were people from Ebu Village, with 61 casualties; Dzakan Village, with 38; Kpada Village, with four dead; and three other casualties from Kogi State, putting the total number of casualties at 106 and the total number of rescued people at about 144.
The Commissioner of Police commiserated with the families of the dead victims, praying that the souls of the departed rest in peace.
He, therefore, directed the policemen on the rescue operation to provide security for the rescued victims until their recovery from the shock and trauma of the accident and handed over to their families.
