No fewer than 20 farmers were feared dead after a boat carrying about 100 rice farmers capsized in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The Chairman of Koko/Besse Local Government Council, Yahaya Bello, said the incident occurred on Tuesday night when a rickety boat carrying more than 100 rice farmers to Samanaji, a riverine community in the area, capsized.

Bello said 80 of the boat passengers were rescued, while 10 were found dead and others still missing.

He stated that rescue operation was still on-going with a view to saving those still missing.

“Almost all the passengers are youths; small boys and girls. We have found four female and six male corpses.

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“We have rescued more than 80 passengers and we are still searching for the missing others.

“Prior to the incident, we had called on emergency meeting with the district head of Dutsin Mari and other traditional rulers and leaders of boat operators in the area.

“The meeting was to enlighten them and warn them against use of rickety, old boats, over-loading and traveling in the night,” the council chairman disclosed.

Bello added that the council distributed 20 new boats in 2022 in an effort to forestall boat mishaps in the area.

The incident was confirmed by the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nafiu Abubakar.

The Star