Eight bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of the boat which capsized on Monday afternoon in Niger State.
The spokesman of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Hussain Ibrahimi told journalists on Tuesday that the bodies of three women and five men were recovered by divers on search and rescue operation.
The boat said to be carrying 100 passengers as well as goods, took off from Niger State and was heading to Wura Market in Niger State when the accident occured.
Although NSEMA did not disclose the cause of the accident, previous boat accidents have been associated with waves, water hycient and stomps inside the river.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has expressed concern over the incessant boat accidents in the state.
He charged the relevant ministries and agencies to rise to their responsibilities to ensure that safety precautions in water transportation are observed in riverine communities to avert incessant boat mishaps.
The governor made this known on Tuesday in a statement by his Press Secretary Bologi Ibrahim in which he condoled with the Borgu Emirate and Local Government over Mondays boat accident which claimed many lived.
Describing the incident as unfortunate and pathetic, Bago said, “I feel your pains and sorrow over the sad and unfortunate news. It is truly pathetic.
“Boat mishaps in recent times are becoming one too many in the State hence all hands must be on deck to reverse the ugly trend.
“Relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) must rise to their responsibilities to ensure that safety precautions in water transportation are observed in riverine communities to avert incessant boat mishaps”.
The governor prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and commended the efforts of officials of the Local government and State Emergency Management Agency for their quick intervention at search and rescue.
The boat carrying 100 passengers and goods such as grains and sugar cane from Dugga in Kainji under the Borgu local government area of the State to Wara in Kebbi State, capsized in Tungan Leda around Shagunu Village in the same Borgu Council on Monday.
