A total of 22 bodies have so far been recovered following a boat mishap involving about 200 traders that occurred between Baro and Akwanu communities in Agaie local government area of Niger State, North-Central Nigeria.
About 18 of the bodies recovered are said to be from Kogi state, while four are from the Akwanu community in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State.
In a statement from the Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, through the spokesperson of the agency, Hussaini Ibrahim, the incident occurred at about 2am on November 29.
He said the boat was sailing from the Ebe community of Kogi state with a population of about 50 passengers heading to the Katcha market in Niger State.
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The agency said it has deployed immediate monitoring, search and rescue operations in collaboration with the Agaie Local Government Emergency Committee, brave local divers, and other community volunteers.
As a result of prompt response from the community volunteers, 22 bodies have been recovered, with eight persons rescued alive so far.
It is also gathered that search and rescue operations are still ongoing to locate more survivors and bodies.
This latest mishap is coming barely one month after a boat conveying over 300 passengers capsized at Gbajibo in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State on October 1 leaving 42 persons dead.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
