Five dead, 30 others rescued as boat capsizes in River Niger

Five persons lost their lives in a boat mishap in Anambra State on their way from Kogi State through the River Niger.

A source in the riverine area of Anambra West Local Government Area told DAILY POST that the incident happened on Sunday morning.

A video made available to this newspaper by the source showed that the deceased comprised mainly of women and children.

Though the deceased persons have not been identified, they were said to hail from a riverine part of Kogi State and were travelling to Onitsha for various businesses.

The source said: “Early this morning, there was a boat that capsized at River Niger. Some of the victims are from parts of Kogi State and Mmiata Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area, according to the eyewitnesses.”

Meanwhile, police authorities in Anambra State have confirmed the incident, saying that its operatives received a distress call and rescued about 30 persons.

Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, while reacting to an enquiry from DAILY POST, said: “The situation is under control.

“Our marine operatives, on getting the distress call about the incident, responded swiftly. We were able to rescue over 30 of the passengers alive and recover the five lifeless bodies in the depths of the sea and the capsized boat.

“Preliminary information revealed that the boat was from Kogi state, conveying goods and passengers before the unfortunate incident occurred.

“Meanwhile, the cause is yet to be ascertained, as the investigation is ongoing.”