The Niger State Emergency Management Agency has recovered an additional 16 corpses following the tragic boat accident in Gbajibo, Niger State.
Among the newly recovered bodies were two females and 14 males, adding to the earlier discovery of nine bodies—comprising two females and seven males—bringing the total number of recovered victims to 25.
NSEMA Director-General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, providing an update on the ongoing search efforts for the missing passengers. According to Arah, the latest recovery followed the declaration of 150 people as missing after the accident.
“Sixteen corpses have been recovered so far, made up of two females and 14 males,” he said. Earlier, nine bodies were recovered, consisting of two females and seven males.
The tragic incident involved a boat carrying 300 passengers from the Mundi Community, who were en route to Gbajibo for the Maulid celebration when disaster struck. While 150 passengers were rescued immediately, another 150 were declared missing.
Arah noted that the boat was overloaded with women and children, and search-and-rescue operations are still underway to recover more of the missing passengers.
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“NSEMA is leading the search-and-rescue operations in collaboration with the State Ministry of Transport, the Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers,” the DG added.
The rescue efforts continue, as the state mourns the loss of those who perished in the tragic accident.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. The search area is vast, and adverse weather conditions have complicated rescue operations. There are concerns about the safety of rescuers as they navigate potentially hazardous waters. Furthermore, as the hours pass, fears grow regarding the fate of those still unaccounted for.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting issues related to water transport safety in Niger State. Many residents have expressed their grief and concern over the lack of adequate safety measures for boats operating in the region. Local leaders are calling for immediate action to improve regulations and safety protocols to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
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