30 killed, 7 missing in Niger boat mishap
Divers have recovered bodies of 30 people who died in a boat accident in Niger State on Saturday.
Sixty-five people were rescued from the accident scene in Tijana, Munya Local Government Area but seven more people remain missing.
A boat conveying about 100 people including women and children capsized midway at around 6pm on Saturday when the villagers were returning from a local market in Zumba, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
The Sarkin Kasuwan (Head of the Market) Zumba, Adamu Ahmed, confirmed to Daily Trust the recovery of 30 bodies since searchand-rescue operations began Saturday night.
He explained that the local divers are still intensifying search for more bodies even as he said that lack of support in the area of logistics from any quarter is slowing their search operation.
The boat, which is said to be six months old capsized in heavy windstorm in a rain on Saturday evening.
Among the victims were some returnees who had earlier fled their homes with their children due to bandits’ attacks.
Adamu said: “Some of the victims were going back to the village to go and get some food item and return back to Zumba where they are taking refuge as a result of bandits’ activities in the affected communities.
The victims were from about seven communities, all in Munya Local Government Area where armed bandits have intensified their attacks on the people.
The Director-General, State Emergency Management Agency, Ahmed Inga, when contacted on the issue, said the actual number of people that were onboard the capsized were about 100.
He said 28 bodies had been recovered, 65 people rescued while the search for the remaining seven is ongoing.