In a heartbreaking incident, a boat carrying more than 50 passengers capsized in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria, on Monday. The tragic event resulted in the loss of over 30 lives, leaving the local community in deep sorrow.
The Chairman of Yauri LGA, Bala Yauri, confirmed the devastating news, expressing the profound grief that has enveloped the local government. Efforts are currently underway, led by local divers, to recover the bodies of the passengers who tragically drowned in the river.
According to Chairman Bala Yauri, the accident involved more than 50 individuals, with some managing to escape the capsized boat. However, as of now, more than 30 people remain unaccounted for in the river.
“We have mobilized local divers to locate the bodies of the victims, ensuring a proper evacuation and respectful burial by Islamic rites,” Chairman Yauri stated.
The ill-fated boat was reportedly carrying passengers, mostly traders from either Niger State or Kebbi State, along with foodstuffs intended for sale before the tragic incident occurred.
A witness to the incident, Alhaji Sani Yauri, attributed the accident to heavy winds, which led to the boat’s driver losing control and subsequently capsizing.
Efforts to obtain a statement from the spokesman of the Nigerian Police Force in the state, DSP Nafiu Abubakar, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or text messages at the time of this report.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by communities reliant on water transportation in Nigeria and underscores the need for enhanced safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.