Ten persons have died in a boat mishap in Shiroro local government of Niger state, according to official data.
The deseased include Farida Muntari, Sharhabila Sagir, Abubakar Sadiq, Na’ima Ibrahim, Amina, Safaratu Ibrahim, Sadiq Ibrahim, Rafiya Yakubu, as well as two unidentified victims.
It was gathered the incident occurred yesterday between 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm due to strong waves and water hyacinth.
Kemi Filani News learnt that the boat was conveying 34 persengers from Zangoro Bassa/Kukoki Ward terminal to Gijiwa/Kato Ward terminal all in Shiroro LG when it capsized,
Head information and Special Duties for Director General, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Ibrahim Audu Hussani confirmed the incident.
He said during a visit to the scene along with the Shiroro LG chairmen, it discovered that the mishap was caused by water hyacinth, strong waves, and a grafting tree identified as factors contributing to the development.
Hussani explained that the boat had on board 34 persons comprising of twenty males, fourteen females and ten children which has sent shockwaves of grief to the families of the victims
According to him,” presently search and rescue operations is on going at the scene”.