In the Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Monday, a boat carrying more than 50 passengers reportedly capsized, killing at least 30 people.
The Yauri LGA Chairman, Bala Yauri, confirmed the devastating situation to Voice of America over the phone and stated that the incident has left the local government's residents inconsolable.
He claimed that local divers are working nonstop to find the bodies of the people who died in the river.
“From the information I gathered, more than fifty persons were involved in the accident while some of them escaped but as of now that I am talking to you, over thirty of them as still trapped in the river.
“We have mobilised the local divers to try and locate bodies of the victims for proper evacuation and possibly befitting burials in accordance with Islamic rights.
“The boat as I heard carried passengers who are mostly traders from either Niger State or Kebbi State alongside foodstuffs for sell before the unfortunate incident”
Alhaji Sani Yauri, a witness to the tragedy who also spoke, stated that a strong wind was to blame for the catastrophe, which led to the boat's driver losing control of the vessel.
“I was there when the incident happened, it was as a result of heavy wind which resulted in the driver of the boat losing control and it capsized immediately ”
In the meantime, attempts to reach DSP Nafiu Abubakar, the state's spokesperson for the Nigerian Police Force, were unsuccessful since he did not answer calls or texts left for him at the time this report was being filled out.
