Many feared dead as boat capsizes in Niger State

• The boat was travelling from Kasabu village in Agwara Local Government Area in Niger to Yauri in Kebbi State
• Alhaji Salihu Garba, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the incident

A boat with 22 passengers on board has capsized in Niger State

The boat was travelling from Kasabu village in Agwara Local Government Area in Niger to Yauri in Kebbi State.

Alhaji Salihu Garba, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the incident.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Monday, Garba disclosed that the boat mishap occurred on Monday between 11 am and 12 pm.

According to him, a survivor of the mishap said that the boat has about 22 passengers on board.

He said that search and rescue operations were ongoing by the local divers and boat owners under the supervision of the agency’s desk officer in Agwara.

He said no passenger has been recovered yet, adding that the mishap happened on Yauri market day.

Garba added that only after the market would families be able to declare their missing relatives.

He explained that it takes about 24 hours for any drowned person to surface atop water.

He attributed the cause of the incident to water hyacinth coupled with strong waves.