Buhari Mourns as Boat Mishap Claims 158 Lives in Kebbi
BUHARI
By Onyinye Apeh
No fewer than 158 Nigerians were feared to have lost their lives in a boat mishap in Kebbi State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when the boat which set out with about 180 passengers from Niger state to Kebbi sank in the Niger River.
According to eye witness acount, the boat took off from Loko Mina at about 7.30 am and to a market in Kebbi State when the sad incident occured.
It was gathered that of the 180 passengers, only 22 had been rescued as at the evening of Wednesday.
The cause of the incident was attributed to overloading of the boat which according to sources was very old.
The Administrative Head of Ngaski District in Kebbi State, Mr. Abdullahi Wara, who visited the scene of the incident lamented that the boat was meant for 80 passengers.
Wara said that as at the evening of Wednesday, 140 passengers were still missing.
Apart from passengers, the boat was said to have been loaded with bags of sand and goldmine.
The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Inga, who confirmed the incident said search and rescue operation involving marine police, NIWA and local divers was on.
President Muhammadu Buhari following the incident condoled the families of the victims.
In the statement, the President’s spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu attributed the cause of the incident to over-loading.
The President commended the efforts of those involved in rescue operations
No fewer than 158 Nigerians were feared to have lost their lives in a boat mishap in Kebbi State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when the boat which set out with about 180 passengers from Niger state to Kebbi sank in the Niger River.
According to eye witness acount, the boat took off from Loko Mina at about 7.30 am and to a market in Kebbi State when the sad incident occured.
It was gathered that of the 180 passengers, only 22 had been rescued as at the evening of Wednesday.
The cause of the incident was attributed to overloading of the boat which according to sources was very old.
The Administrative Head of Ngaski District in Kebbi State, Mr. Abdullahi Wara, who visited the scene of the incident lamented that the boat was meant for 80 passengers.
Wara said that as at the evening of Wednesday, 140 passengers were still missing.
Apart from passengers, the boat was said to have been loaded with bags of sand and goldmine.
The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Inga, who confirmed the incident said search and rescue operation involving marine police, NIWA and local divers was on.
President Muhammadu Buhari following the incident condoled the families of the victims.
In the statement, the President’s spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu attributed the cause of the incident to over-loading.
The President commended the efforts of those involved in rescue operations
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