Twenty-six persons have been killed in a boat mishap occured in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State on Tuesday.
ARISE News gathered that the sad incident happened at about 4:30PM when a fully loaded boat was heading to Ilushi market in Edo State after departing Onugwa community in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.
An eyewitness, who is a farmer in the local government area, James Otoga, told journalists that the ill-fated boat capsized leaving a number of yet-to-be identified people dead while others still missing.
“The boat was fully loaded with our people going to market for the first of October celebration. Only five survivors have surfaced yet and 26 bodies have been recovered so far and more of our people are lying lifeless beneath the River Niger.
“Even those who came for a burial in Onugwa and returning back to Ilushi are also missing, we are yet to confirm the number of people onboard and those who survived,” he stated.
Confirming the incident, chairman of Ibaji local government area, Hon. Ugeh Emmanuel, described the incident as the most disastrous in the history of the local government area, saying many people have lost their lives in the accident.
“As I am speaking with you now, nobody can authoritatively say this is the actual number of casualties. And, again we can not even ascertain the number of people onboard right from their departure destination.
“This is a very serious accident, the boat has not even near Ilushi when the mishap occurred around 4:30pm. Most of the victims were moving to Ilushi for the cerebration of October 1, which has been a tradition in the community before they met their untimely death,” Hon. Emmanuel stated.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government has expressed sadness over the boat mishap that claimed the lives of 20 person in Ibaji Local Government Area of the State.
According to a statement by by Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication Kingsley Fanwo, he said ” This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ibaji Local Government Area, in this moment of grief.
” His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and has directed relevant agencies, including the State Emergency Management Agency, to work with local authorities to provide immediate support and relief to those affected.
” The Governor further assured that the State Government will intensify ongoing efforts in collaboration with federal agencies to improve safety measures on our waterways in order to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.
“We call on our people, especially riverine communities, to always prioritize safety by avoiding overloading and by using life jackets and other precautionary measures whenever they travel by water.
” The Government of Kogi State stands with the people of Ibaji LGA and will continue to support them through this difficult time”.
Frederick Odimayo
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