Vincent Toritseju
09 December 2017, Sweetcrude, Lagos — At least 99 persons have died in six boat mishaps that occurred in Kebbi, Niger and Lagos states between April and September, a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria has revealed.
The survey was conducted in the three states.
The survey revealed that 47 people were rescued, while an unspecified number of persons are missing.
The worst of the mishap was recorded in Kebbi on September 14 when 53 persons, mostly traders lost their lives in the River Niger.
It was gathered that the traders were among 100 persons going to Poll market in Bagudo Local Government Area when the incident occurred.
However, 47 of the victims were rescued alive.
The chairman of the Bagudo Local Government Area, Alhaji Muhammad Zagga, who confirmed the incident said that about 500 divers were deployed on the scene to rescue the victims.
Also in Kebbi, seven persons had on April 15 died when an overcrowded boat in which they were traveling on the River Niger hit a tree trunk and capsized.
