Boat Capsizes Benue
At least 54 bodies have been recovered from a tragic boat accident involving approximately 200 traders in Kogi State.
This was disclosed on Saturday by Justin Uwazuruonye, the Head of Operations for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Kogi State.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Uwazuruonye explained that the victims were confirmed dead and that the absence of a passenger manifest made it difficult to determine the exact number of people on board.
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“The figure of the recovered bodies as of today (Saturday), according to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and NEMA, is 54. They were recovered dead. Unfortunately, there was no manifest, and since it was a night journey, none of the passengers had life jackets,” he stated.
The accident occurred on Friday as the traders were traveling to a market in Niger State. The boat capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi stretch of the River Niger. The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the incident, with its Media Head, Suleman Makama, also verifying the traders’ intended destination.
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, expressed deep sadness over the tragedy, noting that many of the victims were women, petty traders, and artisans engaged in legitimate business. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismail Isah, Ododo highlighted the increasing dangers of the waterway connecting Kogi and Niger States due to frequent boat accidents.
“The waterway linking Kogi and Niger State is becoming increasingly dangerous as a result of frequent boat accidents. Efforts should be made through inter-agency collaboration to prevent further incidents and coordinate emergency responses,” the governor said.
Ododo called on relevant authorities to prioritize the enforcement of safety measures to reduce risks associated with water transportation. He also assured families of the victims that the government would support injured survivors in their recovery.
The tragedy has once again underscored the need for stricter safety protocols, including the use of life jackets and proper regulation of waterway activities, to prevent further loss of lives.
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