15 Die, 6 Rescued in Niger State Boat Mishaps

By Laleye Dipo in Minna 

No fewer than 15 people have lost their lives in two boat mishaps that occurred in Kontagora and Borgu local government areas of Niger State. 

THISDAY learnt from sources close to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency NSEMA that the incident in Kontagora local government claimed 13 lives while the one in Borgu  local government area led to loss of  two lives.

 It was gathered that the Kontagora accident occurred when some traders were traveling across the Kontagora river, a tributary of river Niger when the incident occurred.

 Eighteen people, mostly women and children were said to be on their way to the farm to harvest groundnuts when the sad incident occurred. 

Thirteen of the travelers according to the NSEMA source died while six others were rescued by local divers.

 The accident in Borgu local government area was said to have occurred when about 11 people were traveling in a canoe across the river Niger.

 Two of the travelers were reported to have died while eight others were rescued.

 The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Inga who confirmed the two incidents said they occurred within the ” last few days as a result of heavy rains which made the rivers to over flow their banks.

  Inga said the casualty was high because the travelers were not using live jackets. 

He advised people traveling by boats this season to be extra careful to avoid future occurrence.