A boat conveying about 22 passengers on Monday capsized in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has said.
According to NAN, the director general of the agency, Salihu Garba, said the boat was conveying passengers from Kasabo villages in Agwara LGA of Niger to Yauri in Kebbi state when the mishap occurred at about 11 am to 12 pm.
Said said the incident occurred on Yauri market day, adding that the rescue team was yet to recover any of the passengers.
He also said the desk officer of the agency is currently overseeing the ongoing search and rescue operations by local divers and boat owners in Agwara.
The director general said the incident was caused by strong waves, adding that families could declare their members missing after the market activities.
Abubakar Yelwa, the managing director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), while reacting to the incident in a statement on Monday, described the incident as “unfortunate”, while attributing it to a windstorm, adding that the commission is working to sensitise the public on maritime safety.
He said, “The commission, in its efforts to strengthen safety measures, has, in addition to the provision of life jackets, engaged in sensitisation campaigns on maritime safety, with the most recent one conducted just last week.”
“N-HYPPADEC management sympathises with Yauri Emirate Council and Kebbi State Government over the tragic incident and prays for the repose of the souls of the deceased.”