The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said 58 passengers have been rescued, and over 30 are dead in the recent boat mishap at Gausawa community in Borgu LGA of Niger State.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, directed the Agency’s Minna Operations Office on site to intensify the ongoing rescue efforts.
According to a statement by NEMA spokesman, Manzo Ezekiel, witnesses at the scene of the incident revealed that about 90 persons were onboard the ill-fated vessel.
The boat mishap, which occurred on 2nd September, is reported to have been caused by overloading.
The statement reads in part: “Witnesses at the scene of the incident revealed that about 90 persons were onboard the ill-fated vessel. So far, 58 passengers have been rescued, while over 30 lives have been lost as one additional body was recovered this afternoon.
“Several other passengers remain unaccounted for, with search and rescue efforts still ongoing.
“Initial investigations indicate that the mishap was caused by overloading of the vessel, compounded by a collision with a tree stump along the water channel”.
The Agency stated that the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) is leading the rescue operation with other stakeholders that include the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Local divers and community volunteers.
NEMA, while assuring the public that further updates will be provided as more details emerge, added that NEMA is coordinating with stakeholders to ensure a sustained and organised response.
