25 dead, 125 missing in Niger state boat accident

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) says 25 persons have died following the boat accident in Gbajibo community of Mokwa LGA.

On October 1, a boat conveying over 200 passengers to Gbajibo for the Mawlid celebration capsized.

In a statement on Wednesday, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, director-general of NSEMA, said the agency had earlier recovered nine bodies.

He said another 16 bodies were found during its latest rescue operation, adding that the victims are 4 females and 21 males.

The NSEMA DG added that the search is still ongoing to rescue the remaining 125 missing passengers.

“Sixteen corpses have been recovered so far, made up of two females and 14 males,” the statement reads.

“NSEMA is leading the search-and-rescue operations in collaboration with the State Ministry of Transport, the Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers.

“The rescue efforts continue, as the state mourns the loss of those who perished in the tragic accident.”