Boat carrying 100 passengers capsizes in Niger

A boat carrying 100 passengers, besides goods and grains, has capsized in Niger State. There are no details yet on the number of casualties or survivors.

According to Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, it received a report of the boat mishap. The agency added that the accident occurred in Borgu Local Government area of the state.

The Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, disclosed this in a statement in Minna on Monday.

He stated that the Niger boat mishap happened on Monday afternoon. According to the agency, the boat took off from Dugga Mashaya in Dugga ward heading towards Wara market in Kebbi State.

Baba-Arah noted that the boat was conveying passengers estimated to be around 100, including goods, grains and other valuables.

According to him, the Niger emergency agency is yet to ascertain the number of deaths and survivors of the boat accident.

He said search-and-rescue operations were ongoing by local divers, the agency desk officers and local government officials.