by Nurat Uthman
No fewer than 150 passengers are feared missing following a boat accident in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The ill-fated boat, which was carrying over 300 passengers—mostly women and children—capsized during a Maulid celebration journey on Tuesday.
The passengers were said to be traveling from Mundi Community to Gbajibo Community for the Maulid festival when tragedy struck.
Confirming the incident, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Absullahi Baba-Arah, revealed on Wednesday that rescue efforts were underway to locate more survivors.
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.
