The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) says it has recovered 24 corpses and rescued over 30 persons in a boat mishap on Sunday in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

Garba Salihu, the acting director-general of NSEMA, disclosed this on Sunday in an interview in Minna.

“NSEMA received a report of a boat mishap that occurred between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. this morning between Jebba and Kainji Dam in the Gbajibo area of Mokwa local government area.

“The agency, in collaboration with the Mokwa local government authority and the community local divers, is conducting a search, rescue and recovery operation at the scene of the incident.

“So far, 24 bodies have been recovered while over 30 persons have been rescued as the operation is still ongoing,” he said.

Mr Salihu said over 100 persons were reportedly on board the boat when the incident occurred.

He said the victims from Gbajibo, Ekwa and Yankyade communities were going to their farms on the other side of the River Niger (old Gbajibo).

Meanwhile, the state governor, Umaru Bago, has expressed shock over the incident, according to a statement by his chief press secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.

Mr Bago described the incident as terrible and undesirable, saying, “This is quite a shocking and sorrowful situation to the people of the affected communities, and I share in their sorrow. I pray that Allah will grant the deceased Aljannah Firdausi.”

While commiserating with the victims’ families, the governor directed NSEMA to do the needful to alleviate the people’s sufferings.

He reiterated the importance of using life jackets when boarding a boat and for people to desist from overcrowded boats. 

(NAN)