No fewer than 100 persons including a father and his four children reportedly lost their lives in a boat accident on the river Niger late Monday night.
It was gathered that the incident occurred when the boat conveying about 300 passengers who were wedding guests returning to Kwara state from a wedding ceremony in Egboti community in Niger state hit a tree in the water.
It was further gathered that, about 50 bodies have been recovered from the incident while the incident had reportedly turned the entire local government area of the state into mourning.
Sources in the village told our correspondent that the deceased persons had taken off from Kpada village to be part of the marriage ceremony at Egboti village.
The Secretary, Patigi Local Government Area, Malam Idris Pata Mohammed said the Council has mobilised people to support the survivors who cut across Zakkan in Kwara and Sanpi village in neighbouring Kogi State.
He, however, advised people residing in riverine areas to desist from night journeys as the River Niger may overflow its banks from time to time due to heavy downpour.
The latest boat mishap is only one of several such disasters that have rocked the country this year.
Also on Tuesday, at least 15 children drowned and 25 others declared missing when a boat in which they were traveling capsized in an area in Sokoto State, according to the area’s political administrator, Aliyu Abubakar.
An eyewitness told Radio Nigeria that the boat had been attempting to cross to Mashayan Dundeje Village to collect firewood when disaster struck.
In 2023 alone, states such as Bayelsa and Niger have also experienced several ghastly boat mishaps.
By Dare Akogun
