The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has explained that the boat mishap in Umumu Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State, happened when the wooden engine collided with an obstacle in the water channel, leading to the capsizing of the boat.
The authority revealed that approximately 50 passengers were aboard the boat. It confirmed that eight individuals lost their lives at the scene, while 38 others were promptly rescued.
This information was conveyed in a press statement issued on Sunday by Jibril Darda’u, the General Manager of Corporate Affairs at NIWA.
Darda’u explained that the incident involved a passenger boat traveling from Idah in Kogi state to Onitsha in Anambra state. Despite the incident taking place between Thursday and Friday, the bodies of the victims, predominantly women and children, were recovered on Sunday morning.
The statement read, “The sad report of a boat accident at Umumu Anam, Anambra West LGA, Anambra State between Thursday the 4th and Friday the 5th of January, 2024 at about 7 am, is noted with regrets.
“The authority is aware that the sad incident involved a passenger boat travelling from Idah in Kogi state to Onitsha in Anambra state.
“Upon the receipt of the sad report, relevant personnel from the marine department were deployed for rescue, recovery, and proper investigation.
“Preliminary reports indicated that the wooden engine boat rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized with about 50 passengers on board. From the records, eight persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued immediately.”
It also added that the recovery efforts were still ongoing and the authority will provide detailed information to the public as soon as the field officers report back to the headquarters.
“The authority sincerely commiserates with the friends and families of the deceased and prayed to God to rest their souls.
“In the meantime, we want to reassure the general public that NIWA is doing everything possible to ensure safer inland waterways for the movement of people and goods across our inland waterways,” the statement added.