Capsize boat used for illustration. Source: Premium Times
Boat capsizes in Kwara, killing 103 people. The Kwara Police Command has announced that 103 people were killed in a boat accident in Egbu village, Patigi Local Government Area, Kwara.
Ajayi Okasanmi, the Command’s spokesman, verified the event on Tuesday. The victims were reportedly killed when the boat carrying them back from a wedding ceremony overturned.
The horrific occurrence has left a dark cloud of sadness and grief over the hamlet.Mr Okasanmi stated that the identities of the surviving would be released shortly.
Mohammed Liman, the Chairman of the Transition Implementation Committee in Patigi, estimated that 110 people perished in the disaster.
“About 110 people died in the boat mishap in our area,” Mr Liman added, relaying a statement by one Bala Mohammed, a community leader in the area.
“We’re going to tell you about the tragedy and unforgettable memory that befell my people from our village and other nearby villages.”
“Our village people went to a wedding ceremony in another village called Gboti and the boat carried about 270 people, and almost 110 people were lost.”
“This is an unforgettable memory and tragedy in the history of our village,” he said.
Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, Speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, expressed his condolences to Etsu Patigi, Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, and the people of Patigi following Monday’s boat disaster.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Speaker expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and identified with those still missing, pleading with God to pardon the departed and give the families the strength to bear the loss.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a boat carrying passengers from Egboti in Niger State to Kpada in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara capsized on Monday night, killing many persons and leaving others missing.
“Our hearts go out to the people of Patigi, particularly those in Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi, in the aftermath of the boat disaster that claimed dozens of lives and left others missing.”
“We also express our condolences to the Etsu Patigi over the unfortunate development; we pray to Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and to give their families the fortitude to bear the loss,” he added.
The Speaker also charged the Fire Department and the rescue team with doing everything necessary to guarantee the safe return of those who are still missing in the Boat capsizes.
(NAN)