Niger boat mishap: We’re still searching for 7 bodies — Boat owners
The Chairman of the Boat Owners and Freshwater Users Association in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Aliyu Isah Yerima, said seven bodies are still missing two days after the boat mishap that occurred in Zumba. Speaking to Daily Trust by telephone on Monday, Yerima said local divers are continuing search and rescue operations, […]
File Photo: Boat mishap
The Chairman of the Boat Owners and Freshwater Users Association in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Aliyu Isah Yerima, said seven bodies are still missing two days after the boat mishap that occurred in Zumba.
Speaking to Daily Trust by telephone on Monday, Yerima said local divers are continuing search and rescue operations, but the bodies of the seven missing passengers have yet to be recovered.
“In addition to the passengers, two motorcycles belonging to some of the victims, as well as bags of rice and livestock, were also lost in the water,” he added.
Yerima’s account contradicts official figures released by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).
The Area Manager of NIWA for Niger and Kwara States, Akapo Adeboye, told Daily Trust that 18 people died in the accident. He said 15 bodies had been recovered, while three remained missing. He added that 26 other passengers who wore life jackets were rescued alive.