Many feared dead in Niger boat mishap

A yet-to-be-ascertained number of passengers have been feared dead in a boat mishap that occurred near the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger in Niger State.

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the boat accident involving no fewer than 200 passengers including market women and farm labourers being conveyed from Lokoja in Kogi State to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State on Friday, November 29, 2024.

The Head of the Media Department of NIWA, Suleman Makama, confirmed the incident.

Makama disclosed that the passengers mostly market women and labourers were on their way to the market in Niger State when the boat capsized on the Dambo-Ebuchi section of River Niger.

Makama said: “There was a boat mishap on Friday morning involving quite some women going to the market in Niger State.

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“We are still investigating to ascertain the number of people involved as well as what led to the accident.”

The NIWA spokesman noted that clearance was being awaited from the management before he could issue an official statement containing details of the incident.

However, eyewitnesses said the boat, which belonged to one Musa Dangana, was conveying passengers to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State.

An eyewitness said eight bodies had been recovered, while search and rescue operations continued to locate the remaining passengers.

The Star