Twenty-four people were rescued from the horrific boat accident on the River Niger in Kogi State, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), while forty-two people are still unaccounted for.
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According to reports, the catastrophe occurred Tuesday night when a boat carrying over 80 people overturned while traveling from Olushi village to Onugwa community in the Ibaji Local Government Area.
NEMA called the incident regrettable in its most recent statement, which was released on Thursday, and stated that it had resulted in multiple fatalities and left scores missing.
To aid in the rescue attempts, NEMA Director General Zubaida Umar launched the Abuja Operations Office.
Official search and rescue teams are still searching the area for survivors, and 14 bodies have been recovered so far.
Responders from NEMA, the Nigerian Red Cross, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA), Civil Defense, and the Fire Service are also collaborating with community divers.
“As more information becomes available, periodic updates will be provided,” stated NEMA.
In order to express sympathy to the community for the loss, Zakari Abubakar, the head of the Abuja Operations Office, also paid a visit to the Onugwa traditional ruler.
The Kogi State Government, meanwhile, announced Wednesday that the accident claimed the lives of at least 26 persons.
Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information, expressed Governor Usman Ododo’s sympathies to the impacted families and called the occurrence a tragic loss.
The statement said, “The people of Ibaji LGA are supported by the Government of Kogi State during this time of sorrow.”
Ododo called for tighter safety regulations on the waterways and for state authorities to offer victims’ families immediate assistance.
NEMA and the state government both emphasized how important it is to follow safety procedures in order to stop other deaths.
Riverine communities were urged to always use life jackets and to refrain from overloading boats.
