Niger state is in the news again barely a week after no fewer than 50 people lost their lives in a boat mishap in Malale village, Borgu Local Government Area of the state.
Another boat mishap occurred on the River Niger on Friday evening leaving about 18 people dead. The boat was said to be conveying no fewer than 80 people from the weekly Thursday market in Kokoli to Ulakami.
According to a survivor identified as Umar Ibrahim, “We were in the middle of the 10 kilometers journey when the boat split into two, throwing all of us into the water.
“People started screaming and falling into the water,” a survivor identified as Umar Ibrahim said.
The survivor said he was also able to rescue about 10 people mostly women and children. He noted that the causalities would have been more than 18 save for the fact that most of the men on boat could swim.
“I thank almighty Allah for using the boat driver and other good swimmers to come to our rescue fast, because the bank of the river was far away from us.
“The other boat drivers rushed towards us and put those of us that were rescued into their boats. Some people were also very tired,” he said.
Mohammed Garba, the village head confirmed the incident. The causes of the mishap could not be immediately ascertained.
Niger state Governor Babangida Aliyu is Saudi Arabia for this year’s Holy pilgrimage. But, his Special Adviser on Disaster and Emergency Management, Mohammed Saba, sent condolence message to the families of the victims, urging the people to remain calm.
