According to Abdullahi Arah, Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, the boat carried both persons and cargo, including sugar cane and wheat, as it sailed from Dugga Mashaya in Dugga ward, Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, toward Wara market in Kebbi State.
The head of NSEMA continued, “Search and rescue operations are still underway, but the exact number of casualties and survivors is still unknown.”
“A boat accident that happened at Borgu LGA has been reported to NSEMA.” The incident occurred at approximately 2:05 p.m. on Monday, January 15, 2024, today afternoon.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
Uncertainty surrounds death and surviving during this time. Local government representatives, NSEMA desk officers, and divers are still conducting search and rescue efforts in the meantime. He promised that updates would be sent out as soon as they were received.
34 people, including ten children, were on a mishapped boat in November 2023 that overturned while it was traveling in the Shiroro Local Government Area from Zangoro Bassa/Kukoki Ward terminal to Gijiwa/Kato Ward terminal.
NSEMA provided an update on the incident, stating that their investigation revealed the boat capsized due to a mix of water hyacinth, large waves, and grafting trees.
Following Islamic customs, the ten victims—eight of whom were children—were buried.