Dare Babalola
Tragedy struck in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday afternoon following the death of many people in a boat mishap.
The passengers, who lost their lives on the River Shiroro were mostly women and children.
According to eyewitnesses who spoke to The Nation, the wooden passenger boat capsized around 2:30 pm on Saturday.
The boat, which was conveying passengers and goods, was en route the popular Saturday market in Zumba from Guni, a riverside community in Munya Local Government Area.
The boat reportedly struck a submerged tree and split in two, throwing all onboard into the river.
Panic and confusion followed with passengers struggling to stay afloat in the fast-moving current.
“As soon as it hit the tree under the water, it just broke apart,” said a source near the Zumba market, who added that the boat was loaded with people and market-bound goods.
As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of casualties remains unknown but local divers have launched a frantic search and rescue operation.
Efforts are ongoing to recover bodies and search for possible survivors.
