12 die, seven rescued in Niger boat mishap

At least 12 persons were confirmed dead in the Munya Local Government Area of Niger State following a boat accident that occurred on Wednesday.

The bodies of two of the deceased were said to have been recovered, while seven other persons reportedly escaped. It was learnt that the accident happened around 5.30pm when the victims were returning from their farms in Kudumi village after harvesting some produce

This latest incident is coming about two months after five people were killed in a similar circumstance when their canoe capsized while trying to escape from bandits in Gurmana in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

Eyewitnesses said 19 passengers were on board the boat, which was also conveying several bags of harvested rice and tubers of yam.

According to them, the boat ran into stormy weather, which made it to capsize. Divers were said to have rushed into the water to rescue the traders, but only seven of them were brought out alive.

The Director-General, Niger state Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Inga, confirmed the accident and said the remains of the deceased had been buried by the river side, while the search for the other passengers continues.

Inga commiserated with the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.