Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, has recovered 22 bodies after the boat mishap that occurred between Baro and Akwanu communities of Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State.
NEMA stated that a total of eight persons have been rescued alive.
About 200 passengers mostly market women and traders were on the boat that headed from the state of Kogi to neighboring state of Niger when it capsized, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency spokesman Ibrahim Audu told The Associated Press.
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The agency in a statement signed by its Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah in Minna, said the incident occurred Thursday night, 28 November, 2024, at about 2:00 a.m.
Arah stated that the boat was sailing from Ebe Community of Kogi State with a population of almost 50 passengers heading to Katcha market, when the accident occurred.
According to him, ‘‘NSEMA is currently directing and monitoring search and rescue operations in collaboration with Agaie Local Government Emergency Committee, brave local divers, and other community volunteers in the area.
“Thanks to the prompt response from the community volunteers, twenty-two bodies have been recovered, and eight persons have been rescued alive so far.
“Eighteen out of the 22 bodies recovered are from Kogi State, while four are from Akwanu community in Agaie Local Government Area.
He added that a search and rescue operation was still ongoing to locate more survivors.
