Death toll in Niger state boat accident rises to 42

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) says the death toll from the recent boat accident in the state has risen to 42.

On October 1, a boat conveying over 300 passengers to Gbajibo for the Mawlid celebration, capsized in Mokwa LGA of the state.

Following the incident, NSEMA and other emergency agencies have been on a rescue mission, with 150 persons salvaged.

Ibrahim Hussaini, NSEMA spokesperson, said six more bodies were recovered on Friday morning.

“From 6pm yesterday to 10am this morning, six more dead bodies were recovered, bringing the total to 42 corpses,” Hussaini told TheCable.

On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the rise in boat accidents across the country.

Tinubu, who gave the directive in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, told the agency to prosecute boat operators found violating the night sailing ban.

He commiserated with the state and families of the deceased, while commending emergency workers and local divers involved in the recovery operations.