The police command in Kwara has confirmed that 103 persons died in a boat accident at Egbu village in the Patigi LGA.

Police spokesman, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident on Tuesday. The deceased reportedly met their end after the boat conveying them while returning from a marriage ceremony capsized.

The tragic incident has cast an ominous cloud of sorrow and despair on the village.

Mr Okasanmi said the names of the survivors would be published soon. The Transition Implementation Committee chairman, Patigi, Mohammed Liman, put the number of passengers that died at 110.

Mr Liman, while quoting from a statement by Alhassan Bala Mohammed, a community leader in the area, said, “About 110 people died in the boat mishap in our area. We’re going to tell you about the tragedy and unforgettable memory that occurred to my people from our village and other neighbouring villages close to us.”

He added, “Our village people went to a wedding ceremony in another village called Gboti, and the boat carried about 270 people, and almost 110 people were lost. This is an unforgettable memory and tragedy in the history of our village.” 

Meanwhile, Kwara assembly speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu has sympathised with the Etsu Patigi, Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, and the people of Patigi over the tragedy.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Danladi-Salihu condoled the families of the dead and other victims’ families.

“Our heart goes out to the people of Patigi, especially those in Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi, over the boat mishap that claimed dozens of lives and left others missing,” the Kwara speaker said. “We also condole the Etsu Patigi over the unfortunate development; we pray to Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and give their families fortitude to bear the loss.”

Mr Danladi-Salihu urged the fire service and the rescue team to do everything possible to rescue the missing passengers alive. 

(NAN)