8 bodies recovered as Boat carrying 200 passengers Capsized
The National Inland Waterways NIWA has confirmed a boat accident involving no fewer than 200 market women from Kogi state.
The Head of Media Department of NIWA, Suleman Makama who confirmed the incident on Friday said that the women were on their way to the market in Niger State on Friday morning riding on a boat when it capsided along the Dambo-Ebuchi sections of River Niger, Killing yet to be ascertained number of the women.
“It’s true that there was a boat mishap on Thursday involving quite a number of women going to the market in Niger state. We are still investigating to ascertain the number of people involved as well as what led to the accident.” He said.
According to eyewitnesses, the boat, which belonged to one Musa Dangana, was carrying over 200 passengers, including market women and farm labourers, en route to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State.
As of the time of this report, eight bodies were said to have been recovered, while search and rescue operations continue to locate the remaining passengers.
He said that he is still waiting for clearance from the management before he will issue official statement where details of the incident would be provided.
Asked how long that would be Makama said that he can’t give a specific time frame but promised to get back to our correspondent as soon as possible.
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