Tragedy struck in Anambra state as a boat capsized in the River Niger, killing at least five persons while many others were rescued.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident occurred on Sunday, January 7, when the boat, which had departed from Kogi state and was en route to Onitsha, Anambra state, encountered perilous conditions.
A video shared by an Anambra West local government area resident revealed that the victims included two women and three young boys. As of the report’s filing, the identities of the victims remained unknown.
According to the source, “Early this morning, (Sunday), there was a boat that capsized on River Niger. Some of the victims are from parts of Kogi state and Mmiata Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area.”
The Anambra state police public relations officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, stating that the police responded promptly to a distress call.
The authorities were able to rescue over 30 passengers alive, and the recovery operation retrieved the bodies of the five unfortunate victims along with the overturned boat.
Ikenga said: “Our marine operatives on getting the distress call about the incident responded swiftly.
“We were able to rescue over 30 of the passengers alive and recovered the five lifeless bodies in the depths of the sea and the capsized boat.
“Preliminary information revealed that the boat was from Kogi state, conveying goods and passengers before the unfortunate incident occurred. Meanwhile, the cause is yet to be ascertained, as the investigation is ongoing.”
