103 Wedding Guests Die In Boat Mishap

Over 100 persons returning from a wedding event have been reported dead after the boat conveying them capsized in Egbu village, in the Patigi LGA of Kwara state, Northern Nigeria.

Gatekeepers News reports that the boat which capsized in the early hours of Tuesday on the River Niger was reportedly overloaded.

The victims, which included women and children were said to be returning to their base in Patigi from Egboti, a community in Niger state.

According to reports, while dozens have been recovered dead, many are still missing and no survivor has been reported from the rescue operation.

Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, has commiserated with the families of the victims.

AbdulRazaq’s Spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaiye, in a statement on Tuesday said the state government would continue to monitor the rescue mission.

The statement read, “The governor is sad to receive reports of the boat accident involving several people, particularly residents of Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi — all in Patigi.

“The governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the people of these communities and those from other states. He prays to Almighty Allah to repose the souls of the victims.

“The governor, meanwhile, continues to monitor the rescue efforts already mounted since Monday night in search of possible survivors.

“He commends the alertness of the Etsu Patigi, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, and other local government authorities for the efforts to save as many people as possible who may have survived the mishap.”

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, who also confirmed the incident, said in an update on the boat accident in Patigi that 103 people died.

Okasannmi said, “The names of survivors will be made public as soon as they are available.”

Although the Kwara State Police Command could not yet give details of the incident, the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman, Patigi LGA, Mohammed Ibrahim Liman, said about 110 passengers reportedly died in the accident.

Liman, while quoting from a statement by the community leader in the area, Alhassan Bala Mohammed, said, “About 110 people died in the boat mishap in our area. We’re going to tell you about the tragedy and unforgettable memory that occurred to my people from our village and other neighbouring villages close to us.

“Our village people went to a wedding ceremony in another village called Gboti and the boat carried about 270 people, and almost 110 people were lost.”