A boat carrying some 300 Muslim faithful from Munidi community in Kaiama local government area of Kwara state, has reportedly capsized in a neighbouring community of Niger state, leaving about 169 persons missing.
They were on their way to celebrate Maulud Nabiy, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in the neighbouring Niger state, when the tragedy occurred.
Director General Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the incident Wednesday, saying 16 bodies had so far been recovered.
In a statement by the agency, a copy of which was made available to Blueprint in Minna, Baba Arah said 150 persons were rescued following a quick response by the agency and a team of volunteers from the Gbajibo community where the incident occurred.
In an earlier update, the agency said the accident reportedly occurred at about 8.30pm on Independence Day, October 1st 2024, while the boat was sailing from Munidi community with 300 people on board.
“NSEMA has received a report of a boat mishap that occurred last night,1st October 2024,around 8.30 pm on river Niger upstream Jebba dam, at Gbajibo Community in Mokwa local government area of Niger state. The boat was sailing from Mundi Community with a population of almost 300 passengers comprising mostly women and children, for Maulud celebration at Gbajibo,” the statement said.
It further said: “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.”
“Thanks to the prompt response from the community volunteers, over 150 persons have been rescued alive so far. The search and rescue operation is still ongoing to locate more survivors, and the general public will be provided with the update,” Baba Arah added.
…Updated report
In a further update provided late Wednesday, NSEMA said the divers came up with seven bodies, in addition to the nine earlier recovered.
A breakdown of the figure showed 14 men and two women, closing up the hope and chances of further survivors.
NSEMA said rescue operation was still going on as local divers were combing the water as at press time.
Emerging reports also indicated that the Chief Imam of old Gbajiko is a victim of the accident.
According to an witness who pleaded anonymity, “the passengers were going for a Maulud from New Gbajiko in Kwara state to old Gbajiko in Niger state consisting all youths from Kwara state. All the victims are from Kwara state.”
…Kwara gov mourns
Meanwhile, relations, families and friends of the deceased have been mourning the tragic incident.
Local sources told Blueprint that some 169 persons were missing as at the time of this report.
Mourning the demise of the faithful, Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed shock over the incident.
A statement Wednesday by his chief press secretary, AbdulRafiu Ajakaye, said the governor “expresses deep concern at this devastating incident and sends his heartfelt commiserations to the Emir of Kaiama Alhaji Mohammed Mu’azu Shehu and the people of Gwajibo on the development.”
He said the governor had directed the state emergency management agency to join the humanitarian efforts in search of the victims, the survivors, and their families.
The statement said a high-powered delegation of the state government, led by Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, was also billed to visit Gwajibo Thursday to commiserate with the families of the victims.