A boat ferrying over 100 people has capsized on the River Niger around Patigi in Kwara State.
The incident occurred at the early hours of Tuesday as they were returning to Ebbu village after a wedding ceremony at Gboti community.
A Resident of Patigi, Malam Isah Gimba, told Radio Nigeria that the bodies of 15 people have so far been recovered out of the over 100 on board.
The Secretary, Patigi Local Government Area, Malam Idris Pata Mohammed said the Council has mobilised people to support the survivors who cut across Zakkan in Kwara and Sanpi village in neighbouring Kogi State.
He, however, advised people residing in riverine areas to desist from night journeys as the River Niger may overflow its banks from time to time due to heavy downpour.
The latest boat mishap is only one of several such disasters that have rocked the country this year. Also on Tuesday, at least 15 children drowned and 25 others declared missing when a boat in which they were traveling capsized in an area in Sokoto State, according to the area’s political administrator, Aliyu Abubakar.
An eyewitness told Radio Nigeria that the boat had been attempting to cross to Mashayan Dundeje Village to collect firewood when disaster struck.
In 2023 alone, states such as Bayelsa and Niger have also experienced several ghastly boat mishaps.
