Reports say twenty persons have been confirmed dead in a boat mishap that occurred on Tuesday at about 4:30pm in Ibaji local government area of Kogi State, North Central Nigeria.
An eyewitness, who is a farmer in the local government area, James Otoga, told journalists that the ill-fated boat was fully loaded with people and it departed Onugwa community in Ibaji LGA heading to Ilushi market, but capsized leaving a number of yet-to-be identified people dead.
“The boat was fully loaded with our people going to market for the first of October celebration. Only five survivors have surfaced yet and 20 bodies have been recovered so far and more of our people are lying lifeless beneath the River Niger.
“Even those who came for a burial in Onugwa and returning back to Ilushi are also missing, we are yet to confirm the number of people onboard and those who survived,” he stated.
Confirming the incident, chairman of Ibaji local government area, Hon. Ugeh Emmanuel, through a telephone conversation with journalists, described the incident as the most disastrous in the history of the local government area, saying many people have lost their lives in the accident.
“As I am speaking with you now, nobody can authoritatively say this is the actual number of casualties. And, again we can not even ascertain the number of people onboard right from their departure destination.
“This is a very serious accident, the boat has not even near Ilushi when the mishap occurred around 4:30pm. Most of the victims were moving to Ilushi for the cerebration of October 1, which has been a tradition in the community before they met their untimely death,” Hon. Emmanuel stated.
Recall that in the last one year, there have been numerous boat mishaps in Kogi, Niger and other riverine States where many people lost their lives.
Effort to reach the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebanji and Assistant General Manager (AGM), Corporate Affairs, Suleiman Makama, proved abortive as calls placed to their cell phones could not go through, Leadership reports.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government has reacted to the incident describing it as a heartbreaking loss saying “our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ibaji Local Government Area, in this moment of grief.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications Kingsley Fanwo reads-
“Kogi State Government Mourns Victims of Ibaji Boat Mishap
1. The Government and people of Kogi State received with deep sadness the news of the boat mishap which occurred on the River Niger, involving traders traveling from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to Ilushi market in Edo State.
2. Reports indicate that the unfortunate incident has allegedly claimed the lives of not less than 26 passengers. This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ibaji Local Government Area, in this moment of grief.
3. His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and has directed relevant agencies, including the State Emergency Management Agency, to work with local authorities to provide immediate support and relief to those affected.
4. The Governor further assured that the State Government will intensify ongoing efforts in collaboration with federal agencies to improve safety measures on our waterways in order to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.
6. We call on our people, especially riverine communities, to always prioritize safety by avoiding overloading and by using life jackets and other precautionary measures whenever they travel by water.
7. The Government of Kogi State stands with the people of Ibaji LGA and will continue to support them through this difficult time.” the statement concludes.
