The Niger State Emergency Management Agency has announced the recovery of an additional 16 bodies following the devastating boat accident in Gbajibo, Niger State. Among the newly recovered victims are two females and 14 males, bringing the total number of bodies recovered to 25, including nine previously discovered.
Abdullahi Baba Arah, the Director-General of NSEMA, provided an update on the ongoing search efforts for the missing passengers. Following the unfortunate incident, approximately 150 individuals were reported missing after the boat, carrying around 300 passengers from the Mundi Community, capsized while en route to a Maulid celebration in Gbajibo.
“Sixteen corpses have been recovered so far, made up of two females and 14 males,” Arah stated. He emphasized the urgency of the search-and-rescue operations, which are still ongoing.
The boat was reportedly overloaded, particularly with women and children. Arah confirmed that NSEMA is collaborating with the State Ministry of Transport, the Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers to conduct the search-and-rescue operations.
As the state continues to mourn this tragic loss, efforts are being intensified to locate the remaining missing passengers.
