A tragic boat accident between Baro and Akwanu communities in Agaie Local Government Area, Niger State, has claimed 22 lives, according to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).
In a statement issued on Friday in Minna, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the Director-General of NSEMA, confirmed the incident, which occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday.
“The boat, traveling from Ebe Community in Kogi State to Katcha market, had about 50 passengers onboard when it capsized,” Baba-Arah said.
Emergency responders, including NSEMA personnel, the Agaie Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers, have been conducting search and rescue operations.
“So far, 22 bodies have been recovered, and eight people have been rescued alive,” Baba-Arah confirmed. He further explained that 18 of the deceased were from Kogi State, while the remaining four were residents of Akwanu community in Agaie Local Government Area.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with the agency promising to provide updates as more information becomes available.
This incident follows another devastating boat accident less than two months ago in Mokwa, Niger State, which claimed 42 lives, though 150 others were rescued.