11 perish in another Niger boat mishap
It was another day of agony and sorrow on Monday in Borgu Emirate Council of Niger State as a boat conveying 18 passengers capsized, killing 11 of those on board.
According to Malam Danburan, an Assistant Secretary at the Emirate, the unfortunate accident happened on Monday between 5pm and 6pm.
The boat was conveying passengers, who were mostly locals, from Garafini Kodo to Garafini when the accident happened.
Eyewitnesses accounts, which included those of the seven survivors of the mishap, revealed that the boat hit the stump of a tree covered by water and broke, drowning the 18 passengers in the boat.
The seven survivors were said to have swam into safety.
It will be recalled that this mishap brings to four such incidents in Niger State in the last one year.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mua’zu Babangida Aliyu, has condoled with the Borgu Emirate Council and entire people of Borgu Local Government Area of the state over the boat mishap.
Aliyu, who also condoled the entire state over the tragic incident, made his position known in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Israel Ebije.
He described it as unfortunate, pledging that government would investigate the remote cause of the disaster and continue to work towards checking rising cases of boat mishaps within communities in riverine areas across the state, especially as the rainy season intensifies.
The statement said: “This is no doubt a dark moment for us here in Niger State. These were people who were hale and hearty and in good health condition pursuing different legitimate courses until they met their untimely deaths. I see this as a personal loss not just in my capacity as governor, but first as a human being who attaches much premium to human life and dignity.”
The statement further urged inhabitants of communities in riverine settlements to avoid traveling in overcrowded boats and ensure they adhere strictly to laid down safety measures.
It also called on community leaders to enlighten their subjects on the dangers associated with disobeying safety guidelines while traveling by boat.
The governor, while pledging continuous government policy in ensuring strict adherence to wearing life jackets and other safety measures, said the safety of lives and property of all Nigerlites, irrespective of tribe, religious or political persuasion, remains a top priority of his administration.
The corpses of the dead were interred immediately.