The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed another fatal boat accident for the third time this month at Jaranja river in the Shagari local government area of Sokoto state.

The NIWA Area Manager in Sokoto State, Bala Bello, said on Friday in Sokoto that two persons died, while nine survivors were rescued.

Mr Bello, who said the incident occurred in the afternoon of Friday, attributed it to negligence, canoe overloading and safety rules violation.

He explained that a rescue team that comprised officials from NIWA, National Emergency Management Agency, State Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross Society had been deployed to the scene.

Mr Bello said the team confirmed the casualty figures while search and rescue operations were ongoing to locate the missing persons.

The area manager reiterated that NIWA had been engaging riverine communities on safety measures, guidelines, use of life jackets and other considerations on water usage.

Recall that the Sokoto State Government confirmed the death of four passengers, 41 survivors and five missing persons in a boat accident on August 17 at Kojiyo Village in the Goronyo Local Government Area of the state.

Another incident occurred on August 22, at Faji Community in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of the state, while the present incident was the third in the month.

Speaking at the scene, the NEMA Head of Rescue and Rehabilitation, Tukur Abubakar, said search and rescue operations were ongoing to locate the missing person.

A resident, Abubakar Jabbi, from La said that nine persons were rescued by divers, one body recovered while the body of a female passenger had yet to be retrieved from the river. 

(NAN)