Adebayo Adenrele
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), has begin search for over 150 people after a tragic boat accident that occurred in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The boat accident, carrying over 300 people, mostly women and children from mostly Niger State, capsized on Tuesday during a journey to celebrate Maulid.
NEWSTODAYNG gathered that the passengers were traveling from Mundi Community to Gbajibo Community when the incident occurred.
The Director General of (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the accident in a statement on Wednesday, adding that rescue efforts are ongoing to find more survivors.
Baba-Arah stated that the accident happened on October 1, 2024, at approximately 8:30 pm, along the River Niger, upstream of the Jebba Dam, near Gbajibo Community in Mokwa LGA.
“The boat, which was transporting about 300 passengers, mainly women and children from Mundi Community, was en route to Gbajibo for the Maulid celebration,” he said.
He added that NSEMA is coordinating the search and rescue operations in collaboration with the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and other community volunteers. “Thanks to the swift response of the local volunteers, over 150 persons have been rescued alive so far,” Baba-Arah noted.
The Niger State official assured the public that the search and rescue efforts for the boat accident are ongoing, and more updates will be shared as additional survivors are found.