From Abdullahi Tukur
Over One hundred and fifty people have died as boat Carrying artisenal miners, traders and some Nigerien nationals capsized in river Niger at Tsohuwan Labata village in Ngaski local government area of Kebbi state.
Radio Nigeria in Birnin Kebbi said, the boat which was over loaded with passengers and goods, took off from Lokon Minna in Niger state heading to Warra in Kebbi state.
So far only four corpses have been recovered while 18 other passengers rescued are at the hospital receiving medication.
Confirming the incident, Secretary of Kebbi State branch of the Red Cross Society, Ibrahim Ngaski, said though, the number of passengers on boat was yet to be ascertained but information reaching them said , the boat was carrying about 250 passengers, saying majority of the passengers, were Artisenal miners and traders who, were coming from Niger State to Kebbi state.
“Information at my disposal indicates that only one corpse was recovered while rescue mission is on going”.
Ngaski said absence of rescue equipment was one of the major impediment to the rescue operation.
When Contacted, Sarkin Samari of Warra, Adamu Umar Warra, said almost every single household has it’s member in the ill feted boat, noting that the boat capsized in the deepest part of river Niger.