Over 100 persons, including children, have been confirmed dead in a boat accident at the Egbu village, Patigi local government area of Kwara State.
It was reported that a father and his four children were among those that drowned when the boat they were traveling in capsized at Kpada village, Kwara State.
Sources in the village said “The boat was carrying over 300 passengers on a return trip from the venue of a wedding ceremony.
Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Police Command, on Tuesday said 103 persons had been confirmed dead in the Monday boat mishap, which occurred on the River Niger.
The spokesman of the command, Okasanmi Ajayi, disclosed that others out of the about 300 passengers involved in the mishap, survived the accident.
Ajayi said, “The victims were returning from a marriage ceremony in Niger State to Kwara on the River when the water wave made their boat hit a tree, resulting in the boat capsizing and leading to the death of the victims, said to be about 100.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq , while reacting to the incident, commiserated with the people of Patigi on the devastating news.
“The Governor is sad to receive reports of the boat accident involving several people, particularly residents of Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi — all in Patigi,” according to a government statement on Tuesday.
“Governor AbdulRazaq sends his heartfelt condolences to the people of these communities and those from other states. He prays to Almighty Allah to repose the souls of the victims.
He commended the alertness of the Etsu Patigi, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II and other local government authorities for their efforts to save as many people as possible who may have survived the mishap.”
