Niger boat mishap: We have recovered 22 bodies – NSEMA

No less than 22 bodies have been recovered after the boat mishap that occurred between Baro and Akwanu communities of Agaie local government area of Niger State.

This was disclosed by Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) in on Friday.

The agency further stated that a total of eight persons have been rescued alive.

In a statement signed by Abdullahi Baba Arah, the agency’s Director General, in Minna, the incident occurred on Thursday night, 28 November 2024, at about 2:00 am.

He stated that the boat was sailing from Ebe Community of Kogi State with a population of almost 50 passengers heading to Katcha market, when the accident occurred.

According to him, “NSEMA is currently directing and monitoring search and rescue operations in collaboration with Agaie Local Government Emergency Committee, brave local divers, and other community volunteers in the area.

“Thanks to the prompt response from the community volunteers, twenty-two bodies have been recovered, and eight persons have been rescued alive so far.

“Eighteen out of the 22 bodies recovered are from Kogi State, while four are from Akwanu community in Agaie LG.

He added that a search and rescue operation was still ongoing to locate more survivors.