Writing by Aliyu Lawal; Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
The death toll from a boat mishap conveying ninety passengers for a condolence visit in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger state has risen to thirty two.
Director General Niger state Emergency Management Agency Abdullahi Baba Arah confirmed this on a Radio programme monitored by our Correspondent in Minna.
Alh Abdullahi Baba Arah attributed the incident to overloading and the collusion with a tree stump thereby leading to the death of many and leaving others missing.
According to him the loss of lives would have been averted if many passengers on board responded positively to the directive of wearing life jackets, but to his dismay only few of them responded despite the level of awareness being created by relevant authorities to that effect.
He said in keeping to the religious injunction, the remains of those that have died in the unfortunate incident have been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
Abdullahi Baba Arah explained that rescue operations are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago has sympathize with people of Borgu Emirate over the death of passengers that died in a boat mishap, describing it as one death too many.
Aliyu Lawal.
