Another Boat Mishap Claims 16 Lives in Niger

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Barely one month after Niger State recorded more than 30 deaths from a boat mishap, another 16 people wednesday died in similar fashion.

This time, the boat mishap reportedly occurred at Rofya in the Agwara Local Government Area of the state.
The incident took place yesterday morning according to reports from the area.

An eyewitness said the victims were from Zamare in Kebbi State who were on their way to see an Arabic inscription of Prophet Muhammad on a rock in the River Niger.

The eyewitness said the canoe conveying the victims had about 50 passengers on board when it hit a tree rolling in the river making it to break into two.

Divers were able to save the lives of 12 of the travellers while two others were reported to have been missing.
The remains of the 16 who died were recovered from the river.

The Public Relations Officer of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Hussaini Abdullahi, confirmed the incident, adding that their boat hit a tree in the river causing the unfortunate incident.
He further stated that the agency was in touch with the community to get the authentic number of those involved but confirmed that victims were not from Niger State.

Last month, not less than 30 people died when the boat in which they were travelling in ran into a storm on the River Niger at Zumba in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.