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By correspondent in Minna.
Following a tragic boat accident on Tuesday night at Gbajibo village in Mokwa Local Government Area, nine bodies have been recovered from the Niger River near the Jebba Dam.
The victims were part of a group of approximately 300 passengers traveling from Kwara State on a religious pilgrimage to celebrate Maulid with their Chief Imam in old Gbajiko village.
Alhaji Ahmed Baba Suleiman Yumu, Commissioner for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in Niger State, confirmed the recovery of the bodies in a statement signed by Director of Media and Strategy, Habibu Wushishi.
The boat, departing from Mundi Community, was carrying mostly women and children when the incident occurred.
Yumu expressed his shock at the accident, noting that of the nearly 300 passengers, only 150 were rescued alive.
The Ministry is collaborating with the State Ministry of Transport, the State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), and the National Inland Waterways to keep stakeholders informed about the situation.
Alhaji Baba Arah, Director-General of NSEMA, attributed the accident to overloading and the risks associated with night travel, while confirming that search and rescue operations are still ongoing. He praised the efforts of volunteer divers from nearby communities, reporting that over 150 individuals have been successfully rescued so far.
As the search continues for additional survivors, Arah confirmed that nine bodies—two females and seven males—have been recovered from the river.
The nine dead bodies, according to findings,revealed were part of about 300 passengers said to be traveling from Kwara state on a religious trip with their Chief Imam to old Gbajiko village.
A statement from the Commissioner Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Niger state, Alhaji Ahmed Baba Suleiman Yumu, signed by the Director Media and Strategy, Habibu Wushishi, confirmed the recovery of the bodies.
“I received with shock the report of the boat accident at Gbajibo village in Mokwa Local Government on Tuesday, 1st October 2024 out of the about 300 passengers, only 150 of them were rescued alive,”he said.
The Ministry, according to him is working tirelessly with the state Ministry of Transport, State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and the National Inland Water Ways to update all the critical stakeholders of the boat capsize.
Also speaking, the Director-General (DG) NSEMA, Alhaji Baba Arah,blamed the accident on overloading and as well as night traveling, adding however that search and rescue operstion is still ongoing.
While commending the prompt response of volunteer divers from neighbouring community volunteers, the NSEMA DG said, “Over 150 persons have been so far rescued alive”.
