Just In: Over 20 People Die in Kogi Boat Mishap, Many Still Missing
A tragic boat mishap on River Niger in Kogi State has claimed over 20 lives, with many others still declared missing.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at about 4:30 pm in the Ibaji Local Government Area.
According to eyewitness James Otoga, a farmer in the local government area, the boat was fully loaded with people heading to Ilushi market for the October 1 celebration when it capsized. “Only five survivors have surfaced so far, and 20 bodies have been recovered.
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Many of our people are still lying lifeless beneath the river,” Otoga stated.
The Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Hon. Ugeh Emmanuel, confirmed the incident, describing it as one of the most disastrous in the area’s history.
“As of now, no one can authoritatively say what the actual number of casualties is. We cannot even ascertain the number of people onboard,” he said.
The incident has sparked concern, especially given the frequency of boat mishaps in Kogi and other riverine states over the past year.
Efforts to reach the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebanji, and the Assistant General Manager (AGM), Corporate Affairs, Suleiman Makama, were unsuccessful.
