Eighty-one bodies have been recovered from the capsized Kebbi boat, says Governor Atiku Bagudu.

Mr Bagudu disclosed this on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi when he received Governor Aminu Masari, who paid him a condolence visit.

The boat from Lokon Minna, conveying traders, artisanal miners, and other passengers, capsized at Warrah, killing at least 100 people.

“This area remains a route for marine transportation, as it witnesses a lot of activities of canoes and boats on a 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 capsized at Warrah, where only 22 persons were rescued, and as of now, 81 bodies have been recovered and buried, and rescue and search are 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,” stated the governor.

Earlier, Mr Masari said the visit was to sympathise with the state, saying, “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 lose their lives, leaders become highly emotional and upset.”

(NAN)