Niger Boat Tragedy Victim
HighlightTop StoryTrending Story

Niger State boat tragedy: 156 feared dead

1.3k

Niger State has been devastated by grief as no fewer than 156 passengers including artisanal miners, traders and some Nigerien nationals are feared drowned in River Niger.

The boat carrying about 250 passengers sank an hour into the journey on Wednesday, according to reports.

Four corpses have been recovered while 20 persons have also been rescued.

Niger Boat Tragedy Victim

An official said the passengers were heading to a market in Malele in Borgu council area of the state when the tragedy occurred.

“The boat capacity was not up to the 180 passengers it carried,” National Inland Waterways Authority Manager, Yusuf Birma, said.

“As we speak, only 20 people have been rescued alive, four dead confirmed while the remaining 156 people are still missing and they are believed to be underwater.”

Commenting on the accident, the Sarkin Samari of Warra, Alhaji Adamu Umar Warra, said almost every household in the village has its member on the ill-fated boat, noting that the boat was carrying over 150 people.

Warra said the boat capsized in the deepest part of River Niger.

Niger Boat Tragedy Victim

“so far only four dead bodies were recovered while 18 others that were rescued had been rushed to the hospital for medical attention,” he said.

An official of the Red Cross in Kebbi, Mr Ibrahim Ngaski, said he was told that the boat was carrying about 250 passengers.

“Absence of rescue equipment is what is one of the major impediment to the rescue operation.

“The information at hand said the boat was carrying about 250 people. Though, we are waiting to hear from our men who had since joined the rescue team.” Ngaski said.

READ ALSO: Collapsed bridges: We are going through  hell, Niger gov. cries out to Pres. Buhari

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Consumer Complaint: FCCPC Closes France, Belgium, Italy Visa Centres in Abuja

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has sealed the visa...

Benue Crisis: Tinubu Appoints Akume to Lead Resolution Committee

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the...

Senate Approves N360bn Increase in Rivers’ 2025 N1.8trn Budget, Cites Reasons

Rivers State’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibak, has presented a revised...

Ahead of 50th Anniversary: Oyo Govt Unveils N63.4bln Renovation Plan for Government House

The Oyo State government has approved a whopping N63.47 billion for the...

Alleged terrorism: FG closes case against Nnamdi Kanu

The Federal Government on Thursday closed its case in the ongoing trial...

Dangote Pays Visit to NPA, Commends One-Stop-Shop Initiative’s Success

The Managing Director/CEO of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho,...

Defamation trial: Ezekwesili, Yesufu, others storm court for Akpoti-Uduaghan

A show of solidarity unfolded at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High...

Social Media Unstoppable, FG Won’t Muzzle Media – Information Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, has acknowledged...

Just in: Defamation: Court grants Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan N50m bail, adjourns until Sept. 23

A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama in the Federal Capital Territory...

Defamation: Akpoti-Uduaghan arrives in court for arraignment

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the suspended representative for Kogi Central Senatorial District, has...

GF Moves to Tackle Food Insecurity, Poor Infrastructure

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has identified key factors driving the rising...

Consistent Innovations, Capacity Building Key to Quality Healthcare – Dr. Peterside

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a renowned turnaround expert and accomplished technocrat, says continuous...

TCN Inaugurates Committee to Drive Power Sector Recovery, Boost Grid Efficiency

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah In a renewed push to reform Nigeria’s ailing...

Enugu Govt Inaugurates LOC for 23rd National Sports Festival, NSC Hails Gov. Mbah

The Enugu State Government has taken a significant step towards hosting the...

World Drug Day 2025: Marwa, UNODC urge public, state govts to join fight against illicit substance abuse

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),...

Vandalism, Obsolete Infrastructure, Underfunding Threaten Nigeria’s Transmission Network – TCN MD

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah Delayed energy reform, incessant large-scale vandalism, obsolete infrastructure,...

Benue Killings: Tinubu Queries Security Chiefs Over Lack of Arrests

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday expressed surprise that no arrests were made...

Gwarinpa Hotel Female Murder: FCT Police Launch Manhunt for Man Friend

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated an investigation into...

University’s ‘No Bra, No Exam’ Rule Sparks Outrage, It’s Sexual Assault, Students Say

Female students at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, have reportedly...

Benue Bloodshed: Tinubu Approves Cattle Ranch to End Farmer-Herder Clashes

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a ranch in Benue...