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Tag: boat

  • Kogi boat mishap: IGP orders urgent investigation 

    Kogi boat mishap: IGP orders urgent investigation 

    …reiterates commitment to waterways safety and swift rescue operations

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Saturday ordered immediate investigation into the boat mishap that occurred in Kogi State. 

    The mishap, which occurred along the Dambo-Ebuchi waterways of the River Niger in Kupa Local Government Area, involved over 160 passengers, with 24 rescued and others still unaccounted for.

    In response to the tragic incident, the IGP has directed the Force Marine Officer to lead a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the mishap. 

    The aim, Egbetokun said is to identify contributing factors and develop actionable strategies to prevent similar occurrences on the nation’s waterways. 

    He said the investigation will also provide insights into improving the overall safety and emergency response systems for water transport across the country.

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    A statement issued on Saturday night by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, deeply commiserates with the Government and people of Kogi State, particularly the families affected by the boat tragedy on the 29th of November, 2024. 

    “The IGP further assured the people of Kogi State and Nigerians at large of the unwavering commitment of the Police Force in coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure the swift rescue of missing passengers. Resources and operational modalities have been activated to intensify search and rescue efforts.

    “Additionally, the IGP calls on waterway operators, boat owners, and other stakeholders to work closely with the Force Marine Department in adopting and enforcing critical safety measures to protect passengers and operators alike.

    “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in enhancing safety on waterways, ensuring justice for victims, and mitigating future risks through strengthened collaborations and proactive measures”.

  • JUST IN: Five dead, one missing in Delta boat mishap

    JUST IN: Five dead, one missing in Delta boat mishap

    Five bodies, including that of a one-year-old child, have been recovered following a tragic boat accident near Benneth Island in the Warri Southwest council area of Delta State.

    The mishap, which occurred on Friday, involved passengers returning from a burial ceremony in Gbaramatu Kingdom. Nineteen individuals were rescued, while six others are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. One passenger remains unaccounted for. 

    Read Also: Nigeria’s waterways in crisis as boat mishaps surge

    A statement from the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed the casualties, saying, “Five found dead, six persons injured and still receiving treatment, nineteen persons rescued, one still missing.” 

    Reports indicate that the speedboat collided with a submerged log, throwing passengers overboard. Many of them, unable to swim and lacking life jackets, were left vulnerable in the water.

  • BREAKING: Many feared dead in Lagos boats accident 

    BREAKING: Many feared dead in Lagos boats accident 

    No fewer than twenty people have reported lost their lives after two passenger boats capsized in Lagos on Monday night.

    The boats said to be conveying 16 passengers each, caved in after a collision which occurred around 7pm, at Imore lagoon.

    It was however unclear where the boats loaded and where they were headed at the time of the accident.

    Police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin who confirmed the incident, said 11 of the passengers were rescued.

    He said the boats were unregistered, adding that a report about the accident was made at the Ilashe Police Division.

    Read Also: Niger boat tragedy: Day free ride turned fatal

    Hundeyin said all 32 passengers and their goods drowned when the boats capsized, adding that it took the intervention of the police, local divers and other emergency responders to rescue the 11.

    He said those rescued had injuries and were rushed to the Naval Town Hospital in Ojo for medical attention, adding that search and rescue operations were ongoing for the remaining victims.

    Efforts to get comments from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) were unsuccessful as calls to the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Femi Osayintolu were unanswered.

  • Boat capsize: NSEMA recovers eight more bodies

    Boat capsize: NSEMA recovers eight more bodies

    Eight additional corpses have been recovered from the River Niger upstream of Jebba dam in the Mokwa local government area of Niger state where the boat carrying 300 people capsized.

    This brings the number of bodies recovered to 24 with 126 bodies still unrecovered.

    The Nation had reported that the boat was carrying 300 people from Mundi Community and it capsized at around 8.30 pm on Independence Day on river Niger upstream of Jebba dam, at Gbajibo Community in the Mokwa Local government area.

    Read Also: JUST IN: 150 missing as boat capsizes in Niger

    “We have recovered an additional eight corpses this morning bringing the total to 24”, NSEMA Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah told our reporter.

    150 persons were immediately rescued when the boat capsized. The deceased have been buried in a mass burial in Mokwa while searches are ongoing for other bodies.

    The chairman of the Mokwa local government area, Jibril Abdullahi Muregi condoled with the affected families in the communities within Muwo/Gbajibo Ward.

    He prayed for the peaceful repose of the souls lost in the mishap and for the swift recovery of those injured.

  • JUST IN: 150 missing as boat capsizes in Niger

    JUST IN: 150 missing as boat capsizes in Niger

    Over 150 people are missing after a boat with 300 passengets capsized in Mokwa local government area of Niger state.

    This is coming barely a week after the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) distributed 33 fibreglass boats to nine States to prevent boat accidents.

    The incident, it was learnt, occured around 8.30 pm on Independence Day on river Niger upstream Jebba dam, at Gbajibo Community in Mokwa Local government area.

    Confirming the incident, the Niger State  Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said that the boat was sailing from Mundi community with 300 passengers comprising mostly women and children for Maulid celebration at Gbajibo.

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    The NSEMA Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, said the prompt response from community volunteers led to the rescue of over 150 persons alive so far adding that search and rescue operation was ongoing to locate more survivors.

    He stated that NSEMA was working with the Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and other community volunteers to rescue any survivors and recover bodies of those who are deceased.

    Niger Government last week informed 182 died due to boat mishaps across the State in the past three years.

  • 41 dead, 12 rescued as boat capsizes in Zamfara

    41 dead, 12 rescued as boat capsizes in Zamfara

    Forty-one persons have reportedly died in a boat accident that occurred in Gummi town in Gummi LGA of Zamfara state.

    The boat, conveying over 50 passengers, capsized shortly after leaving the shore on Saturday.

    Twelve passengers were rescued alive, while the remaining 41 drowned.

    Suleiman Gummi, the lawmaker representing Gummi-Bukkuyum Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, commiserated with the families of the victims.

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     “I received with a rude shock the tragic news of a canoe capsizing accident in Gummi,” the lawmaker said in a statement.

    “It’s indeed a very unfortunate and sad incident, but as people of faith, we have to submit to the will of Allah.

    “We pray that Allah SWA grants eternal rest to the departed souls, the bereaved families the fortitude to bear this loss, and speedy recovery to the survivors who are traumatised by it.”

    The latest boat accident in Zamfara highlights the worrying trend of repeated mishaps in Nigeria’s waterways.

  • Boat mishap claims 10 lives in Niger

    Boat mishap claims 10 lives in Niger

    Ten people died when a boat travelling from Zangoro Bassa/Kukoki to Gajiwa/Kato  in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State capsized on Thursday afternoon.

    The mishap was said to have been caused by water hyacinth, strong waves, and tree grafting. 

    34 people which included 20 male and 14 female were said to be on board the boat.

    Confirming the incident, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said that the 24 survivors had been identified.

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    NSEMA identified those who lost their lives to include Farida Muntari, Sharhabila Sagir, Abubakar Sadiq, Na’ima Ibrahim, Amina, Safaratu Ibrahim, Sadiq Ibrahim, Rafiya Yakubu, and two unidentified victims.

    The Agency further said that the boat had six drivers that included Dahiru Yusuf, Sa’idu Shu’aibu, Ahmadu Garba, Sa’idu Garba, Abdulaziz Yahaya, and Lukuman Sani.

    The Agency said that only one body has been recovered adding that search for the remaining bodies were ongoing.

  • Boat with 100 onboard capsizes in Taraba

    Boat with 100 onboard capsizes in Taraba

    No fewer than 100 passengers – mostly women and children – were on board a boat that capsized in the Benue River.

    The passengers were said to be returning to Binnari, a community in Karim-Lamido Local Government from Mayorenero fish market in Ardo-Kola Local Government, all in Taraba State, Northcentral.

    Taraba has major rivers that form part of the tributaries of the Benue River.

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    The boat capsized was said to have capsized on Saturday.

    The Acting Chairman of Inland Water Transporters in the state, Jidda Mayorenero, told reporters that 15 bodies were recovered after the accident.

    Confirming the accident, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ardo-Kola Local Government, Dalhatu Kawu, described it as tragic.

  • Two killed, several injured in boat inferno in Niger

    Two killed, several injured in boat inferno in Niger

    Two children were burnt and several others sustained various degrees of injuries when a boat heading to Danbo community in Kogi State from Katcha market in Niger State caught fire.

    The Nation gathered that the incident which occurred at 6 pm on Friday was a result of a mechanical failure that led to the boat engine catching fire and inflaming a jerry can of petrol stored inside the boat.

    The boat was said to be carrying 50 passengers who went to the Katcha market from the Danbo community, the other occupants of the boat had to jump inside the river to escape getting burnt. Several of the passengers were rescued alive by the local divers.

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    The overseeing Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Mallam Garba Salihu said that the body of one of the deceased had been recovered while the search is ongoing for the second body.

    The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago lamented that the negative incidences around water transportation leading to loss of lives in riverine communities in the State were becoming too frequent calling on the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to urgently do the needful and take proactive measures to halt the ugly trend.

    Describing the incident as terrible and painful, the governor commiserated with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the tragic incident and prayed to God to repose the souls of the departed while also praying for quick recovery to those injured.

  • 19 dead in Kwara boat mishap

    No fewer than 19 persons, mostly children were on Saturday feared dead in a boat mishap in Lafiagi, Edu local government area of Kwara state.
    But the state police command said it is yet to ascertain the number of the deaths.
    The boat was said to be conveying the victims across River Niger.
    The victims were said the to be going for a traditional wedding in a community in Niger.
    About 22 persons were said to be on board the unfortunate boat.
    A source said that while two of the passengers were rescued, the 19 others drowned and died.
    The source said that all efforts to rescue other passengers were unsuccessful.
    “As at yesterday evening, four corpses have been recovered from the river.”
    Said the source: “Efforts to recover the bodies of the death would resume yesterday morning again to ensure that others also are found.
    “Both men of the Nigeria Police and the state Fire Service were there yesterday in the rescue mission.
    “Unfortunately only two of them survived,” the source told journalists on Sunday.
    Secretary to the Lafiagi Traditional Council, Alhaji Sulyman Aliyu also confirmed the incident.
    Aliyu said that the number of the victims could not be ascertained yet,  noting that there was a conflict in the number.
    “Definitely they are up to 12. The figure is between 12 and 19 that you said ” he said.
    The secretary also confirmed that four corpses were recovered on Saturday  and that efforts to remove others would continue on Sunday.
    The Public Relations Officer of the Kwara Police Command, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, also confirmed the incident.
    Spokesman of the Kwara state police command Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the incident but could not ascertain the number of casualties.
    He said the capsized boat was ferrying passengers from Lafiagi, Edu local government area of the state to Niger state.
    “The command had since yesterday deployed detachment of officers and men to the scene of the accident,” he added.