At least eight of the 24 persons involved in a boat accident that happened on Monday in Kasabu community of Agwara Local Council of Niger State have been rescued.
The boat was conveying the passengers to the Yauri fish market in Kebbi State when the mishap occurred.
A statement issued by the Director of Media and Strategy, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Habibu Wushishi, said they were rescued through the combined efforts of divers and owners of the boat.
The ministry stated that the rescued are receiving treatment before reuniting with their family members.
According to the statement: “While the search and rescue mission had ended, the Ministry in collaboration with relevant stakeholders is working assiduously to find out the remote and immediate cause of the mishap to avert the recurrence of the unfortunate incident.”
Earlier, the state’s Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Ahmed Baba Suleiman Yumu, and the Permanent Secretary, Barrister Mairo Mohammed Mann, had condoled the bereaved families, while assuring that the ministry will intensify an awareness campaign in riverine communities to forestall future occurrence.
Yumu commended the effort of local divers, boat owners, staff of the ministry, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Agwara Local Government Desk officers and Kebbi State government for the job well done.
