About thirty-eight persons have been r recovered following a recent boat mishap that occurred in River Niger around Mmiata Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The boat, sailing from Kogi State to Anambra, capsized at the Mmiata banks of the river.
According to reports, the incident was caused by the wooden engine ramming into a snag on the water channel.
The General Manager of Corporate Affairs of The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Jibril Darda’u confirmed the mishap and stated that it involved a passenger boat traveling from Idah in Kogi state to Onitsha in Anambra state.
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Darda’u assured that NIWA is committed to ensuring safer inland waterways for the movement of people and goods.
However, he stated that eight persons have been confirmed dead.
He said:
“Preliminary reports indicated that the wooden engine boat rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized with about 50 passengers on board. From the records, 8 persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued immediately
“Upon the receipt of the sad report, relevant personnel from the marine department were deployed for rescue, recovery, and proper investigation.
“The recovery efforts are ongoing and the Authority will provide detailed information to the public as soon as the field officers report back to the headquarters.”
