By Olaitan Ibrahim
A boat tragedy between Baro and Akwanu communities in the Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State has claimed 22 lives.
Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the tragedy in a statement issued in Minna on Friday.
According to Arah, the boat, which was travelling from Ebe Community in Kogi State to Katcha market, was carrying approximately 50 passengers when the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday.
He explained that NSEMA personnel, the Agaie Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and other community volunteers have been actively involved in the search and rescue operations in the boat tragedy.
The Director-General confirmed that 22 bodies have been recovered so far, while eight people have been rescued alive.
He noted that 18 of the recovered bodies were from Kogi State, while the remaining four were residents of Akwanu community in Agaie LGA, Niger State.
Arah stated that the search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with further updates to be provided to the public.
The boat tragedy is coming less than two month after a boat capsised in Mokwa area of Niger, killing 42 people and 150 others rescued.