On Sunday, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) announced that 13 people were killed after a boat capsized in the state’s Shiroro Local Government Area.
According to the agency, the incident occurred on Saturday, July 26th.
Malik Baba Suleiman, NSEMA’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, reported that 26 people were safely evacuated from the tragedy.
According to him, the terrible tragedy claimed the lives of eight ladies, three men, and two children, all of whom were buried according to Islamic rituals.
Though the victims’ identities have yet to be released, it is understood that the incident has caused the community to mourn.
The ill-fated boat, which was apparently laden with goods and passengers, overturned near Guni village around 11:45 a.m. on the way to Zumba. The mishap is thought to have been caused by water turbulence and possible overloading, but investigations are still ongoing.
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The Niger State Government, through NSEMA, has urged river users to follow safety requirements and avoid overcrowding boats, particularly during the rainy season, when water levels rise unexpectedly.
Meanwhile, 13 people have died and over 236 others have been hospitalized as a result of a cholera outbreak that has spread over six local government areas in Niger State.
The outbreak, which was discovered on Sunday in Shiroro LGA, has quickly spread to Bosso, Minna, Magama, Bida, and Munya local councils, causing residents to panic and pushing the state government to intervene immediately.
According to reports, Dr Ibrahim Dangana, the state’s Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, acknowledged the development on Wednesday, saying the administration had taken a multi-sectoral strategy to controlling the spread of the waterborne disease.
