*No fewer than 200 persons are reported missing as boat capsizes in Niger State
*The boat carrying 300 passengers capsized in Gwajibo with mostly women, children on board
*Victims left Mundi community for Gbajibo to mark Mawlid celebration
*Kwara State Gov mourns, says it’s sad, shocking, unfortunate
By Kayode Abdulazeez, Ilorin with agency report
No fewer than 200 persons have been reported missing following a boat mishap in Gbajibo, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger state.
The incident was reported to have occurred on October 1, with mostly women and children aboard the vessel.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday said the victims were reported to have left Mundi community for Gbajibo near Kwara State to mark the Mawlid celebration.
“The boat mishap occurred last night October. 1 around 8:30 pm on the River Niger, upstream Jebba Dam,” the statement read.
“The boat carrying approximately 300 passengers, mostly women and children, was travelling from Mundi community for Mawlid celebrations at Gbajibo.
“The agency in collaboration with the state Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers, are directing and monitoring search and rescue operations.
“The agency will provide accurate and timely updates on the situation”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said he was shocked and saddened over the tragic boat mishap involving at least 200 people from Gwajibo Mudi community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident occurred in Gwajibo village in Niger State, a neighbouring community where the boat was headed for a Maulid nabbiy celebration.
Local authorities say only 31 people have been rescued alive as of press time.
The Governor expressed deep concern at the devastating incident and sent his heartfelt commiseration to the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Mohammed Mu’azu Shehu and the people of Gwajibo on the development.
The Governor has directed the State Emergency Management Agency to join the humanitarian efforts for the victims, the survivors, and their families.
“A high-powered delegation of the state government led by Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu is also visiting Gwajibo today to commiserate with the families of the victims”, he said.