Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker, House of Representatives, has expressed sadness over the recent Kwara boat mishap, which claimed the lives of no fewer than 106 people.
Abbas, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Musa Kirishi, said he was deeply pained that “the precious lives of over 100 of our compatriots were lost during the unfortunate incident, which occurred at the Patigi Local Government area of the state”, adding that efforts must be made to prevent such occurrence in the future.
He said, “The news of the mishap was as devastating as it was heartbreaking. Such incident must be avoided to save the lives of Nigerians.
“My heart bleeds. I was pained and devasted at the news of the boat mishap in Kwara. The lives of 104 Nigerians were so precious, but we lost them just like that in one fell swoop.
“The incident was one too many. We must guard against such occurrence in future. Necessary actions must be taken to prevent such incident.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those that lost their loved ones during the incident.”
The Speaker, however, sent his heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government of Kwara State over the losses of lives, which he described as sorrowful while praying for the repose of the souls of those that lost their lives and wished those injured from the incident a very quick recovery.
Kwara Police confirm death of 106 boat mishap
The Informant247 had on last week Wednesday, reported that the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the death of no fewer than 106 casualties in the unfortunate boat accident that happened in Patigi Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement released by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, said 144 victims were rescued in the accident that involved about 250 persons.
The Informant247 recalls that a boat mishap at Egbu village in the Patigi local government area of Kwara state claimed the lives of about 100 including a father and his four children.
The incident was said to have occurred on Monday when the victims were returning from a marriage ceremony at neighbouring Egboti village in Niger State.
It was also learned that the river waves took the boat and hit a tree, leading to the boat capsizing, leaving many people dead and turning Egbu village into mourning as no fewer than 50 bodies have so far been recovered from the incident.
“Information was received by the Divisional Police Officer of Patigi Divisional Headquarters to the effect that a boat accident occurred around the River Niger axis.
“The Commissioner of Police Kwara State, CP Paul Odama psc+, immediately after receiving the information dispatched a team of policemen to join the policemen and other locals already on their way to locate the exact spot the boat accident happened to join in the rescue efforts.
“The boat was said to have conveyed about 250 people from a village called Gboti via Patigi after a wedding ceremony to Ebu Village and Dzakan Village, all within Patigi’s local government area.
“On leaving the shore, one part of the boat by the engine side collapsed where water penetrated the boat, which ultimately led to the boat capsizing. All efforts to draw the attention of the villagers hosting the wedding ceremony for assistance by the persons in the boat proved abortive, leading to the deaths of about one hundred and six (106) people.
“Among the casualties were people from Ebu Village with 61 casualties, Dzakan Village with 38, Kpada Village with 4 dead, and three (3) other casualties from Kogi State, putting the total number of casualties at one hundred and six (106) and the total number of rescued people at about one hundred and forty-four (144).
“The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State, wishes, on behalf of the Kwara State Police Command, to commensurately share in the grief of the families of dead victims, praying that the souls of the departed rest in peace. He further directed that the policemen on the rescue operation should continue in the effort while providing security for the rescued victims of the accident until they are fully recovered from the shock and trauma of the accident and handed over to their families,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has commiserated with the people of Patigi on the devastating news of a boat mishap in which dozens of people were feared killed and many others still missing.
The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, commiserated with the people of Patigi over the ugly incident.
The statement reads, “The Governor is sad to receive reports of the boat accident involving several people, particularly residents of Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi — all in Patigi,” according to a government statement on Tuesday.
“The Governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the people of these communities and those from other states. He prays to Almighty Allah to repose the souls of the victims.
“The Governor, meanwhile, continues to monitor the rescue efforts already mounted since Monday night in search of possible survivors. He commends the alertness of the Etsu Patigi His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II and other local government authorities for the efforts to save as many people as possible who may have survived the mishap”, the statement added.