A boat mishap at Egbu village in the Patigi local government area of Kwara state has claimed lives of about 100 people including a father and his four children.
The Informant247 gathered that the incident 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.
Sources in the village confirmed to newsmen that the deceased persons had taken off from Kpada village to be part of the marriage ceremony at Egboti village, adding that the boat was taking over 300 passengers on a return trip from the venue of the marriage ceremony when it capsized at Egbu village.
The people, who gave details of the incident, said that 69 persons lost their lives from Egbu village, 36 from Gakpan village and four from Kpada village in the Patigi local government area of the state.
However, when contacted, the Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, SP. Ajayi Okasanmi, while confirming the incident, said that the state police command has despatched the Divisional Police Officer of Patigi local government area of the state to garner more information on the incident”.
He said that there was a scanty report of a boat that capsized carrying about 100 people in a village in Patigi local government area of the state adding that, ” I will give you more details on the incident as soon as I get more information”.
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.