A boat mishap in Niger State’s Mokwa Local Government Area has left at least 150 passengers presumed missing.
The ill-fated boat, which was carrying over 300 passengers, the most of whom were women and children, overturned on Tuesday during a Maulid celebration.
The people were reportedly traveling from Mundi Community to Gbajibo Community for the Maulid holiday when disaster struck.
Confirming the tragedy, Alhaji Absullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, stated on Wednesday that rescue attempts were underway to discover further survivors.
Baba-Arah said, “NSEMA received a report of a boat accident that occurred on the night of October 1, 2024, around 8:30 pm along River Niger, upstream of Jebba Dam, at Gbajibo Community in Mokwa LGA.
“The boat, which was transporting about 300 passengers, mainly women and children from Mundi Community, was en route to Gbajibo for the Maulid celebration.
“NSEMA is coordinating search and rescue operations in partnership with the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and other community volunteers.
“Thanks to the swift response of the local volunteers, over 150 persons have been rescued alive so far.”
He assured all that the search and rescue operation was ongoing, with further updates to be provided to the public as more survivors are located.
