The people of Binneri community of Karim Lamido, Taraba state, have been thrown into mourning after a boat carrying no fewer than 80 passengers capsized on the Benue River on yesterday evening, Africa Today News, New York reports.
According to reports, the boat was returning from the Mayoreneyo fish market in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area when the accident happened, just 50 minutes after takeoff.
A source in the area who simply identified himself as Mister Jessy Danladi mentioned that shortly after the mishap, three bodies were recovered. Subsequently, local fishermen retrieved an additional twelve bodies.
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Regrettably, no passengers aboard were equipped with life jackets, as they were accustomed to the waters. Abdullahi Usman, the state’s police spokesperson, confirmed the incident, awaiting an official report from the divisional police officer in the area.
Africa Today News, New York reports that this is coming barely a week after adevastating boat mishap in Niger State reportedly claimed the lives of at least 22 persons onboard.
On Monday morning, tragedy struck as the victims, en route from Kasabu village in Niger State’s Agwara Local Government Area to Yauri in Kebbi State, saw their boat capsize amid a downpour and strong winds.
As of Tuesday night, a search and rescue operation had only succeeded in recovering six bodies, and among them was the body of a Kebbi pastor who had made his home in Niger State.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency revealed that the majority of the victims were en route to do business transactions at the Monday Market in Yauri, Kebbi State, when the tragic incident happened.
Hussaine Ibrahim, who serves as the spokesperson for NSEMA, indicated that it is thought that the majority of the victims had not donned lifejackets.
There is an alarming recurrence of boat capsizes, leading to loss of life, and upon thorough examination, it becomes apparent that there are often inadequacies in implementing preventive measures to aid those in distress.