Laleye Dipo in Minna
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) yesterday released the names and pictures of those who died in last Monday’s boat mishap in River Niger in Zuru, Kebbi State.
The boat was said to be conveying 24 passengers to the Yauri Monday Market in Kebbi State from Agwara in Niger State when it ran into a stormy weather resulting in its capsize.
According to NSEMA Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hussaini Ibrahim, in a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday, five of the victims so far recovered from the river are men with one of them being a pastor of the yet-to-be-known church, while the other one is a woman.
Ibrahim said one unidentified body was recovered early yesterday morning bringing the total of lost lives to seven.
He gave the names of the deceased as Bilyaminu Kontagora, Dauda Alhassan Kasabu, Murna Ezekiel Kebbi, Iliya Kpechra Busuru, Joshua Auta from Gwagwalada, and Amos Samuel.
The PRO also told THISDAY on the telephone that 16 people were rescued alive by local divers who rushed to the scene after the incident occurred.
Ibrahim said it was possible that the victims were not wearing life jackets during the journey, and that the heavy downpour last Monday morning coupled with a gale may have caused the boat to capsize.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of those that died, and advised that those traveling across the river should always conform with strict regulations, including wearing of life jackets and avoiding over loading of the boats.
