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Tag: Boat Mishap

  • Kwara boat mishap: NIWA threatens to prosecute culpable officials

    Kwara boat mishap: NIWA threatens to prosecute culpable officials

    The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has threatened to prosecute any official found involved in the Patigi boat mishap where over 100 persons lost their lives in Kwara.

    The NIWA Managing Director, Dr. George Moghalu, made the threat in a statement issued by the authority’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Jibrin Darda’u, in Lokoja on Wednesday.

    Moghalu, who commiserated with the families of the victims and government and people of the state, described the incident as “very unfortunate” and “worrisome.

    “Giving the circumstances, we will, in line with extant laws and regulations, investigate this callous incident and prosecute those found culpable.

    “Preliminary investigations through the authority’s Area Manager in Minna/Kwara Area Office revealed that the boat driver and wedding guests were on the ill-fated voyage at about 2.30 a.m, which speaks volumes about the disregard for the laws regulating Inland Waterways navigation.

    “NIWA as an Authority will not fold its arms and allow reckless boat operators flaunting our safety guidelines and killing innocent commuters.

    “The Management of NIWA is deeply saddened by the boat mishap that occurred on June 12, along the Jebba Lake channel in the Lafiagi-Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara in which about 103 passengers are feared to have died.

    “We condole with the families of those that lost their loved ones, and are particularly concerned with the huge number of casualties,” he lamented.

    According to him, this accident is clearly an unfortunate and avoidable one.

    He argued that for a wooden boat to have allegedly been carrying more than 200 passengers at once without using life jackets and sailing in the night was certainly gross-overloading and misconduct.

  • Kwara boat mishap: 144 rescued as death toll rises to 106

    Kwara boat mishap: 144 rescued as death toll rises to 106

    Kwara State Police Command has said that 144 people have so far been rescued from the Monday Boat mishap which claimed many lives in the Patigi local government area of Kwara state.

    The police also put the death toll at 106.

    The Police in a statement signed by SP Ajayi Okasanmi Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) and made available to the press on Wednesday said that the boat which capsized between Ebu and Dzakan village in Patigi local government area was loaded with about 250 passengers out of which 106 people died.

    “Among the casualties were people from Ebu Village with 61 casualties, Dzakan Village with 38, Kpada Village with 4 dead, and three (3) other casualties from Kogi State, putting the total number of casualties at 106 and the total number of rescued people at about 144.

    “Information was received by the Divisional Police Officer of Patigi Divisional Headquarters to the effect that a boat accident occurred around the River Niger axis.

    “The Commissioner of Police Kwara State, CP Paul Odama psc+, immediately after receiving the information dispatched a team of policemen to join the policemen and other locals already on their way to locate the exact spot the boat accident happened to join in the rescue efforts.

    “The boat was said to have conveyed about 250 people from a village called Gboti via Patigi after a wedding ceremony to Ebu Village and Dzakan Village, all within Patigi’s local government area.

    On leaving the shore, one part of the boat by the engine side collapsed where water penetrated the boat, which ultimately led to the boat capsizing.

    “All efforts to draw the attention of the villagers hosting the wedding ceremony for assistance by the persons in the boat proved abortive, leading to the deaths of about 106 people.

    Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) Chairman of Patigi Local Government area, Alhaji Ibrahim Liman who said that the accident might have been caused by Water that leaked into the boat stated that the volume of water that entered into the boat affected its movement which made it to capsize.

    Liman said that all the people who survived the accident swam to the bank of the river by themselves adding that “All the people that survived the accident knew how to swim and they swam to the river bank by themselves.

    Meanwhile, Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) Managing Director, Mallam Abubakar Yelwa blamed the high rate of death in the accident for the non-use of life jackets by the passengers in the boat.

    Yelwa while speaking at a programme organised by the Commission in Ilorin on Wednesday said that the commission spent billions of naira to purchase life jackets for the people leaving in the area covered by HYPPADEC.

    “High death rate in the early Monday morning boat mishap in the Patigi local government area of Kwara state has been blamed on the negative attitude of people of the area in the use of life jackets whenever they travel by water.”

  • APC suspends campaign in Delta over boat mishap

    APC suspends campaign in Delta over boat mishap

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its electioneering campaign in Delta, over Tuesday’s boat mishap involving some of its supporters.

    This is contained in a statement on Wednesday by Mr Ima Niboro, the Director, Communications and Media Strategy, Delta APC Campaign Council in Asaba.

    Niboro said that the party was working with relevant authorities and communities to search for the survivors.

    “Information at our disposal indicates that a commercial boat traveling in the opposite direction rammed into the boat carrying our supporters.

    “Two persons lost their lives, three are missing, and seven others are in hospital receiving treatment from injuries sustained in the accident.

    “We are shocked by this tragedy, and our hearts are heavy. Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims and their families. This is one tragedy too many, and our party is officially in mourning.

    “We are currently working with the relevant authorities and communities to search for the missing.

    “We are also in the process of reaching out to the families and loved ones of those that lost their lives, while ensuring that the injured receive the best care possible,” he said.

    Niboro added: “Once again, we express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and pray that the Almighty God comforts and gives them fortitude in these trying times.”

    He said that the Campaign Council would advise on next steps in the coming days and weeks.

    The incident occurred on Tuesday while the APC supporters were returning from the party’s rally in Okerenkoko Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

  • Ogbaru Boat Mishap: Soludo mourns victims

    Ogbaru Boat Mishap: Soludo mourns victims

    Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has commiserated with the families of persons involved in the boat mishap that left 10 dead in the Umunnankwo Community, Ogbaru Local Council Area of the state.

    It was gathered that tens of people are still unaccounted for in the unfortunate incident, as search is still in progress.

    TheNewsGuru.com gathered that the boat occupants were on their way to Nkwo Ogbakuba when it capsized by Umunankwo Ossomala Bridge and over 10 persons drowned.

    “This development is still a shock to the government and good people of Anambra State. I sympathize with the families of people involved.” Governor Soludo said.

    While regretting the unfortunate incident, the governor further stated that several interventions have been sent by the government to various IDP camps within the State.

    He assured that government will continue to do its best to reduce the negative effects of the flood disaster.

    Soludo, who is also a Professor, serves as the fifth democratic Governor of Anambra State since 17 March 2022.

    On 9 November 2021, Soludo, representing the All Progressives Grand Alliance, was declared the winner of the 2021 Anambra State gubernatorial election, defeating his closest rivals from the PDP and APC, Valentine Ozigbo and Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba, respectively.

    Soludo is a former governor and chairman of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He was appointed as the bank’s governor on 29 May 2004.

    He is also a member of the British Department for International Development’s International Advisory Group and a member of President Buhari’s Presidential Economic Advisory Committee.

    Soludo joined the federal government in 2003 and served as chief economic adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Prior to his May 2004 appointment to the CBN’s chairmanship, he was the Chief Executive of the National Planning Commission of Nigeria.

    In January 2008, in a speech to the Nigerian Economic Society, he predicted consolidation in the private banking industry, saying “By the end of 2008, there will be fewer banks than there are today.

    The restructuring of the banking industry has been attracting funds from local and foreign investors, which have increased banks’ ability to lend to customers”.

  • Lagos boat mishap: 13 more bodies recovered as rescue operation ends

    Lagos boat mishap: 13 more bodies recovered as rescue operation ends

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says that 13 more bodies have been recovered from the ill-fated boat sailing from Mile 2 to Ibeshe, a suburb of Lagos, on Saturday.

    The Zone Coordinator, South-West, NEMA, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

    Farinloye said that a total of 17 bodies had been recovered so far from the recovery operations of the missing victims.

    “Late yesterday night, two more bodies were recovered in addition to the two earlier recovered in the morning.

    “With this, it has become a total of 17 bodies recovered,” he said.

    Farinloye revealed that search and rescue operations had ended.

    The coordinator said that illegal boat operators plying the waterways beyond the stipulated official hours led to these avoidable deaths.

    He said that the act was a gross violation of the regulations of the waterways guidelines for operators.

    “It was revealed that the regulatory bodies have tried to stamp out illegal operations of small boat operators who hardly use life jackets after official hours.

    “But they do not heed to regulations put in place to stop them.

    “It was also observed that wooden boats are not permitted to be used as passenger boat.

    “But it is only at this odd hour that illegal operators always put the lives of unsuspecting passengers at risk,’’ Farinloye said.

    He said that efforts were on to address the gaps with all stakeholders such as the Nigerian Navy’s Special Boat Service, the Association of Boat/Ferry Operators of Nigeria and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), among others.

  • 4 bodies recovered from 16-passenger boat mishap in Lagos

    4 bodies recovered from 16-passenger boat mishap in Lagos

    Four bodies have been recovered from Friday’s boat mishap at Ojo area of Lagos.

    The four bodies, part of passengers in a W19 fibre boat carrying 16 passengers were recovered at Mile 2 area on Saturday. The boat capsized on Friday night.

    General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, confirmed the recovery on Sunday.

    He said the state government had vowed to enforce safety measures and go after substandard boat operators.

    The general manager condoled with the families of victims who lost their lives in recent boat mishaps in the state.

    Emmanuel said that LASWA had put many measures in place to reduce incidents of boat mishaps.

    “Part of the safety measures is LASWA’s Search and Rescue Unit established to improve response in emergencies.

    “Lagos State government is doing all it can to ensure that the sector is viable and safe.

    “Government is ready to come down hard on any operator who endangers the lives of people while operating in the sector.

    “One of the boat drivers whose actions led to a boat mishap some years back was recently sentenced to life imprisonment,’’ Emmanuel said.

    He said that with the huge capital committed to water transportation, the government would not fold its arms and allow mediocrity.

    The LASWA boss added that the agency had collaborated with Yamaha, manufacturer of boat engines to reduce boat prices to enable operators to put more money in safety devices.

    Emmanuel admonished passengers to be safety-conscious always.

    “The life jacket can save you. Buy your own life jacket if you must. Inspect the life jackets that you are given and make sure they do not have holes and also avoid night travels.

    “Safety consciousness is a collective responsibility; if you see something unusual on the waterways, say it,’’ Emmanuel said.

    Area Manager, Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mrs Sarat Braimah, also confirmed the recovery of the four bodies that were found at Mile 2.

    Braimah said that the NIWA would produce a transportation code that would spell out the dos and don’ts on inland waterways.

    She said that the code comprises appropriate guidelines for navigation, offences, and penalties.

    Barimah said that the transport code would give NIWA enough powers to enforce compliance and confiscate equipment when necessary.

    She confirmed that use of substandard boats was responsible for some of the mishaps recorded so far.

    “To stem this scourge, efforts have reached advanced stages to formulate standards and regulate the boat building industry.

    “In the long term, some classes of boats would be phased out; certain class of boats would be approved and classes of rivers on which operators could function would be listed,’’ said Braimah

  • Boat mishap: Sultan of Sokoto reacts to death of 29 teenagers

    Boat mishap: Sultan of Sokoto reacts to death of 29 teenagers

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, says the death of 29 teenagers in a boat mishap at Gidan-Magana village, Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State, as tragic.

    Abubakar III expressed his feelings on Friday during a condolence visit to the bereaved families, people and government of Sokoto state on the tragedy that occured on Wednesday.

    The Sultan, who was represented by the Sarkin Kabin Yabo, Alhaji Muhammadu Maiturare, however described the incident as an inevitable act of Almighty Allah.

    “All of us mortals must die, must at one time or the other die, and we pray to the Almighty Allah to grant them Aljannat Firdaus.

    “We are also fervently praying for Him to grant the families, people and government of Sokoto state the formidable fortitude to bear the irreplaceable losses.”

    The Sultan is currently in Saudi Arabia performing Umrah (lesser Hajj/pilgrimage).

    Meanwhile, Rep. Abubakar Umar (APC-Sokoto) on Friday also condoled with the people of the village over the death of the teenagers.

    Umar expressed shock over the tragic death of the teenage firewood hawkers.

    Umar beseeched the Almighty Allah to grant them eternal rest as well as give their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.

    He donated N300,000 to the bereaved families, N100,000 to the residents and two hundred bags of cement for the rehabilitation of the village cemetery.

    The deceased lost their lives on Wednesday when the boat they were traveling in on Shagari river in search of firewood capsized.

    Out of the figure, 23 were females, six males, while six victims were rescued alive.

  • Niger boat mishap: Driver, lady survived –agency

    Niger boat mishap: Driver, lady survived –agency

    The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) says only the driver and a lady survived the boat mishap that occurred on Sunday at Zhigiri village, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.

    Alhaji Ahmed Inga, the Director-General of the agency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Wednesday that the bodies of the seven victims of the mishap had also been recovered.

    He said the mishap occurred while the boat was sailing to Dnaweto, a neighbouring village in the hinterland, for a naming ceremony.

    Inga said that the passengers of the boat were nine and they took off from Zhijigiri village to Dnaweto village.

    He said that the boat sailed on the water from the ongoing construction of the Zungeru hydro electric power dam.

    “The boat driver and a lady survived while seven person lost their lives to the unfortunate incident.

    “The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and buried”, he said.

  • Man loses two wives, son as boat mishap claims 7 lives in Niger

    Man loses two wives, son as boat mishap claims 7 lives in Niger

    A man known as Muazu Babangida has lost his two wives and a son in a mishap that claimed the lives of no fewer than seven persons at Zhigiri village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Mr Silas Saba, the spokesperson of Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA) made available to journalists in Minna on Tuesday night.

    Saba, who decried the current challenges caused by the establishment of the Zungeru hydro-electric power dam in the community, said that the incident occurred at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

    He said that the incident occurred when the villagers were sailing to Dnaweto; a neighbouring village in the hinterland for a naming ceremony.

    “Prior to the construction of Zungeru Dam, traveling between these two villages was by land and need not water transportation, as the terrain was majorly dry and motorable.

    “This is one of the social upheaval occasioned by the construction of the dam,” he said.

    He said that the villagers had yet to recover the body of one of the affected victim from the river.

    Saba called on Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) to respond to the incident by providing safety measures such as life jackets and standard boats, among others, to help the people to adapt to their new way of life of water transportation.

    He said that providing these measures and sensitising the people to the use of the waterway would prevent and minimise future occurrence.

    The public relations office of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

    Meanwhile, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has said the driver and a lady survived the boat mishap.

    Alhaji Ahmed Inga, the Director-General of the agency made this known in Minna on Wednesday, saying that the bodies of the seven victims of the mishap had also been recovered.

    He said the mishap occurred while the boat was sailing to Dnaweto, a neighbouring village in the hinterland, for a naming ceremony.

    Inga said that the passengers of the boat were nine and they took off from Zhijigiri village to Dnaweto village.

    He said that the boat sailed on the water from the ongoing construction of the Zungeru hydro electric power dam.

    “The boat driver and a lady survived while seven person lost their lives to the unfortunate incident.

    “The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and buried”, he said.

  • 81 bodies recovered from Kebbi boat mishap – Gov. Bagudu

    81 bodies recovered from Kebbi boat mishap – Gov. Bagudu

    Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi says 81 bodies have so far been recovered from Wednesday’s boat mishap in Warrah, Ngaski Local Government Area of the state.

    Bagudu disclosed this on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi when he received Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State, who was on a condolence visit to the state.

    Recall that a boat from Lokon Minna, Niger State conveying traders, artisanal miners and other passengers capsized at Warrah and claimed over 100 lives.

    While appreciating the governor and his entourage for the visit, Bagudu prayed that the continues harmonious relationship between the two states would ever be sustained.

    Recalling the incident, Bagudu said the mishap happened in Warrah, adding that the town was by the side of River Niger close to Kainji dam.

    “This area remains a route for marine transportation, as it witnesses a lot of activities of canoes and boats on daily basis.

    “There are some boats that can carry and covey three long-trucks of goods at a time and there are some boats that travel as far as Mali from there.

    “But this boat was conveying over 170 people incidentally capsised at Warrah, where only 22 persons were rescued, and as at now, 81 bodies have been recovered and buried and rescue and search is still ongoing.

    “Warrah is a route where many people travel to Lokon Minna in Niger State for gold mining apart from women who go there to sell food.”

    Earlier, Masari said the visit was to sympathise with government and people of Kebbi State over the unfortunate incident.

    He said: “We are here to condole with the people of Kebbi State over the unfortunate incident and to sympathise with our brother and Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum, His Excellency, Gov. Atiku Bagudu.

    “This tragedy affects all of us, because in a situation where over 100 persons lost their lives is not an easy task, as you can see in other countries when one or two people loss their lives, leaders become highly emotional and offset.

    “This is because, the essence of government right from onset is to protect lives, wellbeing and property of the citizens. However, when something contrary happened, the leaders felt bad more than any other person.”

    Masari observed that the death of over 100 people may affect thousands of people, considering the fact that many people rely on some of these deceased for a living.

    He lamented that the tragic incident was highly devastating and sad, praying that God Almighty would avert the recurrence of similar accident in future.