Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed shock over a boat mishap that claimed several lives in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
Governor Umaru Bago, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described the incident as terrible and sorrowful.
According to him, "This is quite a shocking and sorrowful situation for the people of the affected communities, and I share in their grief. I pray that God will grant the deceased paradise".
While commiserating with the families of the victims, the governor directed the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to do the needful by ameliorating the sufferings of the people.
He also prayed that God would comfort the families of the deceased and grant quick recovery to those injured.
He, however, reiterated the importance of using life jackets when boarding a boat and urged people to desist from overloading boats.
It was reported that a boat carrying over 100 people onboard, including women and children from communities between Jebba and Kainji Dam, heading to the Old Gbajibo resettlement centre, capsized.
The victims, who were said to be from Gbajibo, Ekwa, and Yankyade communities, were going for farming activities when the incident occurred in the morning.
About 26 people, mostly women and children, have been confirmed dead and over 30 people have been rescued, while a combined rescue operation by marine police and local divers in collaboration with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency is ongoing.