More than 50 people have died and dozens are still missing after an overloaded boat capsized in the Northenwestern Nigeria state of Kebbi on Wednesday, according to government authorities.
There were at least 150 passengers on board, most of whom are from Kebbi State and are believed to be traders, authorities said.
READ ALSO: CBN Governor Assures the use of Digital Currency in Nigeria
Chairman of Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Abdullahi Buhari, where the incident occurred, made a statemnt late on Thursday that the death toll had risen to 53, with that number expected to rise.
The president added that 22 people had been rescued and that following a stay in hospital, they had been discharged.
On Thursday, Acting Executive Director for Kebbi’s Emergency Management Agency, Abbas Rabiu Kamba, said that they had recovered 47 bodies — 20 men and 22 women — from the water so far. Kamba added that so far, it was unclear how many children had lost their lives.
READ ALSO : COVID- 19 Vaccine: 1.8million Nigerians Vaccinated
Wasiu Abiodun , Niger State police spokesman said the boat had taken off from Borgu district in Niger State and was heading to a market in neighboring Kebbi before getting into difficulties early Wednesday.
Authorities are citing overloading as the cause of the accident, with the police spokesman warning boat operators to adhere to safety precautions and to stop overloading their boats beyond capacity.
