19 children feared dead in Kwara boat mishap
Tragedy struck in Lafiagi community, Edu area of Kwara state on Saturday as a boat conveying 22 passengers, mainly children, capsized midway across River Niger.
The victims whose total count is still uncertain were caught up in the mishap on their way to a traditional wedding ceremony in Niger state. The victims are feared to be between 12 and 19 in number. Rescue efforts have only succeeded in pulling out two survivors and four corpses from the water.
Secretary of the Lafiagi traditional council, Sulyman Aliyu confirmed the incident and revealed that efforts are still ongoing to recover the remaining victims as attempts to rescue them earlier proved abortive.
The Governor of Kwara state, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, commiserated with the Emir of Lafiagi and expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident.
“I deeply empathise with the emir, the good people of Lafiagi and the families of the victims,” Ahmed said in a statement released by his Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba.
The spokesperson of Kwara Police Command said the police was working with other security agencies and local authorities to ensure that the recovery exercise is handled properly.
