Following a boat mishap in the Agwara and Yauri local government regions of Niger and Kebbi states, four dead were found in the Yauri axis of the River Niger.
Thirty people were reported to be on board the wooden boat transporting villagers to Yauri Market on Monday morning.
The boat, which is claimed to be transporting passengers from Gebbe, Kasabo, and other River Niger waterfronts to Yauri Market, capsized a few metres from its target.
Shortly after the boat incident on the Yauri beachfront of the River Niger, local divers were filmed mounting surveillance in search of survivors.
According to the Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Abubakar Yelwa, seven persons were rescued and twenty-seven others still missing.
Yelwa said the fatality rate would have been close to nothing if passengers wore life jackets before sailing. He added that the commission will sustain the distribution of lifejackets and her advocacy for its use.
Authorities from Yauri say that though the investigation is still ongoing, preliminary reports indicate that the boat capsized following a heavy wind storm that accompanied the weather.
As of the time of filling this report, rescue effort is still ongoing but victims were said to be from Niger and Kebbi state.
