As the intensive 3-day search for bodies of victims of the Independence Day boat mishap that occurred at Gbajibo community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State ends, the dead bodies recovered and buried have risen to 42 made up of 40 men and 2 women.
The record keeper and police Special Constabulary, Dantala Muhammed confirmed this development to AIT via telephone.
Recall that the boat was conveying over 300 passengers when it capsized while about 150 persons were rescued apart from those who were able to swim to safety.
During condolence and on-the-spot assessment visit by the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Development Areas Commission, N-HYPPADEC, they restated their commitment to collaborate with state houses of assembly of member states to enact strong legislation over boat operators, overloading and night travels.
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They also added that they will engage in massive sensitization campaigns on the use of lifejackets while promising to provide more.
Niger state government, on its part, pledged to provide rescue boats, water ambulances, and commutation gadgets and establish water marshals to help avert a future occurrence.
(Editor: Okechukwu Eze)
