The Kogi government has launched an investigation into the cause of the death of five people whose car plunged into a canal on Friday.

Kogi’s information commissioner Kingsley Fanwo disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

“The Kogi government, under the leadership of Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has since launched investigations into the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident,” it said.

The statement added, “We are willing and ready to cooperate with the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) to improve the safety of people working around the canal and passengers travelling along the routes around the canals.”

The victims drowned on Friday after their car plunged into the canal of Omi Dam along River Niger in Yagba West LGA.

Only one person in the car survived as he reportedly swam to safety and was helped by a fisherman, who drowned.

Among the dead were three ladies and two men, including the fisherman.

“We cannot afford to lose the lives of our citizens to such avoidable deaths. Already, we have received preliminary reports from the Yagba West local government authorities, who moved swiftly to salvage the situation to no avail,” the Kogi government explained.

It added, “We will communicate our observations and recommendations to the authorities of the LNRBDA to avert future occurrence.”

(NAN)