4 Nigerians die in Lagos boat tragedy

The government says it would clamp down on boat operators who continue to contravene the rules and regulations guiding their operations.

Four people drowned to agonising deaths after a boat capsized in Lagos State on Saturday morning.

The boat was carrying 17 passengers. Only 13 of these were rescued after tragedy struck.

The accident occurred at Badore in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state at about 10.00 a.m., the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says.

“The boat with 17 people on board which was coming from Ijede capsized at Badore,” NEMA spokesperson for Nigeria’s southwest, Bandele Onimode, told NAN.

“Four people died while 13 others were rescued,’’ he said.

Onimole said other government agencies helped in the rescue operation.

He lauded the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), National Inland Waterways Authority, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and Marine Police for the rescue efforts.

It is reported that the boat that capsized was substandard. LASWA has summoned an emergency meeting with all commercial boat operators in the state on Tuesday, February 2.

It said would clamp down on boat operators who continue to contravene the rules and regulations guiding their operations.

Boat operators who don’t provide life jackets for their passengers may be hammered hard..