The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has said that over 150 out of 300 passengers onboard a boat which capsized in Gabjibo community of Mokwa Local Government Area of the state are missing.
NSEMA also said that a team of its personnel is intensifying a search and rescue operation following the boat mishap.
The Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, in a statement on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, said the mishap occurred on Monday, October 1, 2024.
His words, “The boat mishap occurred last night October 1, 2024, around 8:30 pm on the River Niger Upstream Jebba dam.
”The boat was carrying approximately 300 passengers, mostly women and children travelling from Mundi community for Maulid celebrations at Gbajibo.
“The agency in collaboration with the state Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers, are directing and monitoring search and rescue operations,” he said.
He said that over 150 persons had been rescued alive so far as a result of the prompt response from community volunteers.
“The agency will provide accurate and timely updates on the situation,” Arah assured.
The cause of the mishap is yet to be determined.
