By Citizenship Newspaper
The Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah confirmed the boat mishap incident, stating 13 bodies were recovered and buried in Shiroro Local Government area of Niger state.
Reports said that the incident occurred in Gini about 11:45am around Kwata on the way to Zumba Market on Saturday, when a boat loaded with goods and passengers capsized on their way to the weekly market.
A statement by the Director of Information and Special Duties, Dr Ibrahim Hussaini, noted that the driver and 25 passengers were rescued with one of them admitted at the General Hospital Kuta. He has been discharged.
He added that rescue operations have been concluded by the NSEMA desk officers, local divers and volunteers in the community, noting that among the dead were eight women, three men and two children.
According to NSEMA, the Shiroro boat mishap involved 39 passengers while 26 persons were rescued. 13 bodies were recovered and have been buried accordingly, it said.
It could be recalled that the Niger state government through NSEMA, National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission N-HYPPADEC and NIWA among others have distributed life jackets to various riverine communities but usage compliance have been ineffective, hence the high rates of casualties when boat mishaps occur.
