Over 90 dead bodies were said to have been recovered at the Gwajibo community in Niger where a wooden boat conveying about 300 passengers capsized on Tuesday night.
Reports gathered that all the 300 passengers on board of the ill- fated boat were indigenes of Gwajibo Mudi community in Kaiama local government area of Kwara state.
In a statement issued Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Kwara governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, the victims of the boat mishap were said to be going to the neighbouring Gwajibo community in Niger for Maulud Nabbiy celebration when the incident happened.
The sources in the area said that 93 bodies have so far been recovered from the river where the boat capsized.
It was also gathered that four children, who survived the incident were receiving treatment at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Gwajibo Mudi and are likely to be discharged tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Ilorin and chairman of Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has commiserated with the state government over the unfortunate incident.
The monarch, in a condolence message, commiserated with the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Omar Mu’azu, over the tragic incident which reportedly claimed the lives of about 169 persons.
“The incident is regrettable, saddening and worrisome considering the number of victims and lives involved”, the Emir said.
The monarch, however, commended the state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for promptly directing the state emergency management agency to join the humanitarian efforts at providing succour for the survivors of the incident and the families of other victims.
He appealed to the residents of riverine areas to always put on safety jackets while traveling on water as a precautionary measure.
