150 missing as boat capsizes in Niger
Story from Hamzat IBRAHIM
150 people feared dead after a boat carrying over 300 passengers capsized on the River Niger on Tuesday night.
The passengers were returning from the Maulud Nabiyyi festival in Gbajibo village, Mokwa local government area of Niger State.
Confirming the incident to newsmen on Wednesday, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah said the passengers were traveling from Mundi Community to Gbajibo Community for the Maulid festival when tragedy struck.
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Baba-Arah said, “NSEMA received a report of a boat accident that occurred on the night of October 1, 2024, around 8:30 pm along River Niger, upstream of Jebba Dam, at Gbajibo Community in Mokwa LGA.
“The boat, which was transporting about 300 passengers, mainly women and children from Mundi Community, was en route to Gbajibo for the Maulid celebration.
“NSEMA is coordinating search and rescue operations in partnership with the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and other community volunteers.
“Thanks to the swift response of the local volunteers, over 150 persons have been rescued alive so far.”
He assured all that the search and rescue operation was ongoing, with further updates to be provided to the public as more survivors are located.
Proofreading by Fa’izatu Aliyu Doma, Journalist at Neptune Prime.
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