Over One hundred and fifty people were said to have died as boat Carrying artisanal miners, traders and some Nigerien nationals capsized in river Niger at Tsohuwan Labata village in.Ngaski local.government area of Kebbi state.
Positive fm gathered that the boat which was over loaded with passengers and goods took off from Lokon Minna in Niger state heading to Warra in Kebbi state.s
According to reports, four corpses have been recovered while eighteen other passengers have been rescued and are receiving treatment.
Confirming the incident, the 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 information at their disposal showed that the boat was carrying about 250 passengers.
“Information at my disposal indicated that only one corpse was recovered while rescue mission was on going”.
Ngaski said absence of rescue equipment was one of the major impediment to the rescue operation.
When Contacted, the Sarkin Samari of Warra, Adamu Umar Warra, lamented that the boat capsized in the deepest part of river Niger.
RADIO NIGERIA