No fewer than 25 persons were feared missing in boat mishap in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state, Southeast Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the ill-fated boat with about 85 persons on board capsized on Friday at Umunnankwo community.
Eye witnesses said the boat, which took off from Onukwu bridge, was heading to Nkwo market, Ogbakuba before it capsized.
The witness who wished to remain anonymous said, “So far, unofficial reports indicate that between 20-30 persons are yet unaccounted for.”
Transition Committee Chairman, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Pascal Aniegbuna disclosed that some of the passengers were rescued while several others died.
A former House of Representatives member, Victor Afam Ogene, while reacting to the incident expressed shock and deep sorrow, describing it as unfortunate.
Ogene said in a statement on Saturday, “Ogbaru is devastated and in shock over the horrendous boat accident that took the precious lives of some of its sons and daughters.
“This sad news of this terrible accident is numbing and painful to me as a person and must be very devastating, especially to the immediate families of the victims. This is a collective loss for Ogbaru as a whole and we are united in sorrow.
“My condolences go to the affected families and also Ogbahu people and communities, who have in recent times found themselves in the jaws of severe flood disaster that has practically submerged all our communities and displaced thousands of people.”
Ogene had earlier made an appeal to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come to the rescue of the people of the community over the flood disaster in the area.
He noted that houses, farms and other businesses in Ogbaru have been swallowed by the horrendous flood, leaving many people in dire agony, sorrow, tears and hopelessness.
According to him, some of the affected communities include: Ogwu Ikpele, Akili Ogidi, Obeagwe, Ossomala, Ogwuaniocha, Umunankwo, Ogbakuba, Ochuche, Umuzu, Akili Ozizor, Atani, Ohita and Odekpe.
Other areas devastated by the ravaging flood include Amiyi, Iyiowa, Ogbeukwu, Okoti and parts of Okpoko.
