Seven killed in Jigawa boat mishap

The police command in Jigawa has confirmed seven deaths in a boat accident that occurred in Dabi community of Ringim LGA in the state.

According to NAN, the accident occurred when the boat, carrying 13 passengers on their way to a condolence visit on Sunday, capsized after hitting an object.

The police, in a search-and-rescue mission earlier on Monday, rescued seven persons who were taken to the general hospital at Ringim for medical attention.

However, two of the seven rescued occupants of the boat, identified as Bara’atu Garba and Mahmud Surajo, died at the hospital.

Lawan Shiisu, the spokesperson of the command, in a statement, confirmed the recovery of five more bodies, increasing the number of fatalities to seven.

“Among the six persons missing in yesterday’s canoe mishap in Ringim LGA, report shows that five more corpses were recovered while one person is still missing,” he said.

“So far, seven people lost their lives in the incident.”

TheCable had reported a similar mishap in the state on September 7, which led to the death of a seven-month-old baby and four women in Guri LGA of Jigawa state.

MANY DISPLACED BY FLOOD IN EKITI

In another incident in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti capital, several persons were displaced as flood swept through several areas after a heavy downpour that lasted for over six hours on Sunday night.

Olajide Borode, general manager, Ekiti state emergency management agency (SEMA), said the agency had visited areas affected in order to get first-hand information on the extent of damage.

“Safety of lives and property is a priority of the current government and we won’t joke with it. Our officials are presently visiting the areas affected, so that we can get the correct information that can guide government’s action in resolving the incident,” he said.