The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has reported the recovery of nine bodies from a boat mishap in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
Alhaji Salihu Garba, the Head of Relief and Rehabilitation at NSEMA, revealed this information in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Sunday.
According to reports, a boat mishap on Thursday, November 16, resulted in the confirmed death of ten individuals.
The victims, predominantly traders, were reportedly transporting goods from the Zongoru Community in Bassa Ward to Gijiwa in preparation for the Friday market in Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro LGA, when the tragic incident occurred.
Reports indicate that at least 34 individuals were on board, with 10 tragically losing their lives, while local divers reportedly rescued 22.
Garba provided the names of the deceased, which include Farida Muntari, Sharhabila Sagir, Abubakar Sadiq, Na’ima Ibrahim, Amina, Safaratu Ibrahim, Sadiq Ibrahim, and Rafiya Yakubu.
He mentioned that the agency has not yet identified two of the deceased, emphasizing that all of them were from Zangoro.
Additionally, he stated that there were 24 adult males and females, along with 10 children (both male and female), on the boat when it capsized.
Garba also informed that an ongoing search operation is in progress to recover the remaining bodies.