Niger boat accident: 12 bodies recovered, 18 rescued

Twelve bodies have been recovered from Saturday boat mishap between GaladimanKogo and Kwata-Zumba in Shiroro local government area of Niger State.

Eighteen people were also rescued by the marine police and local divers by the time of filling this report.

Our correspondent learnt that among the dead were 10 females and an eight year-old boy.

According to the state agency officials, six of the dead were from Shakulape, three from Boze and another three from Kuduru, all in Kaduna State.

Their remains were interred at the river bank in Kuduru in Kaduna State yesterday morning.

The nine Christians among the dead were buried beside each other, while the three Muslims were also buried there separately.

The bodies, according to state emergency officials, were recovered with the combined efforts of the marine police stationed at Shiroro dam and some local divers in the areas.

The passengers boat, aside the human occupants, was carrying five cows, six sheep, bags of maize, rice and other food items from Kuduru when the incident happened.

Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello who was represented at the burial by the chief of staff to the Governor, Hon. Mikhail Bmitoshi, described the incident as sad.