From: JOHN ADAMS MINNA

Tragedy struck in Malale Village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday evening when eight people were killed in a boat mishap on their way back to Warrah village in Ngaski Local Government of Kebbi State.

The incidence occurred when the boat carrying about 70 passengers who were returning from Malale market capsized in Borgu River midway into their journey.

The Director General , Niger State Emergency Management Agency( NSEMA) Mallam Ibrahim Ahmed Inga who confirmed the incidence to newsmen in Minna on Monday said eight people which included five women and three men died while the remaining 62 passengers on board the boat survived the mishap.

The Director General, while attributing the cause of the accident to stumps on the water ways, explained that the reduction in the casualty figures was as a result of the fact that the driver of the boat was an experience person.

Related News

“Our investigation at the scene of the accident revealed that the boat driver tried his best not to loose any of the passengers on board by bringing the passengers to the bank of the river .

“But it was unfortunate that some of the passengers which included five women and three men were too weak to swim into safety”, the DG said.

Mallam Inga however disclosed that all passengers on board, as well as the driver of the boat  were from Kebbi state who came to do their buying and selling in Malale market in Borgu, Niger state.

Mallam Ibrahim Ahmed Inga further disclosed that the remains of the deceased passengers on board the ill-fated boat have since  last week been buried.