Devastating Boat Mishap Claims 103 Lives in Kwara State, Nigeria.
In a tragic incident at Egbu village in the Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, a total of 103 lives were lost, including a father and his four children, as their boat capsized while returning from a marriage ceremony. The paramount ruler of the area, Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, has confirmed the incident.
The spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, provided an update on the boat accident, confirming the death toll of 103. The names of survivors will be made public once they are available, according to Okasanmi.
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The tragic incident has plunged the entire local government area into mourning, with approximately 50 bodies of passengers recovered so far. While details from the Kwara State Police Command are still forthcoming, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Liman, the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Patigi LGA, stated that the accident claimed the lives of around 110 passengers.
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Liman quoted a statement from Alhassan Bala Mohammed, a community leader in the area, who reported that about 270 people were on board the boat. From their records, 61 villagers from Ebu, 38 from Gakpan, four from Kpada, two from Kuchalu, and one from Sampi lost their lives in the incident.
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed his deep sorrow over the unfortunate and disheartening boat accident.
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He conveyed the condolences of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council to Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Bologi II, the government, and the people of the state. The Emir prayed for comfort and strength for the families of the victims during this difficult time.
The boat accident occurred on Monday while the victims were returning from a marriage ceremony in Egboti village, Niger State. Sources in the village attributed the accident to the boat being overloaded, and it capsized during the return trip. A river wave took control of the boat, causing it to collide with a tree and throw many people into the river.
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Governor Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq issued a message of condolences to the relatives of the victims. The incident is a deeply tragic event that has left an indelible mark on the history of the affected village and its neighboring communities.
