Most of the occupants of the boat were returning from a marriage ceremony in Niger and had yet to reach their destination when the boat capsized.
By Dele Moses, Ilorin
Kwara State Police Command has confirmed that 103 persons died in a boat mishap in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday.
The victims, it was learnt, included a father and his four children.
Spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident.
Okasannmi said, “The names of survivors will be made public as soon as they are available.”
The accident occurred at Egbu village in the local government after the boat had left Gboti village in Niger State.
Most of the occupants of the boat were returning from a marriage ceremony in Niger and had yet to reach their destination when the boat capsized.
It was gathered that the accident happened as the boat hit a tree after a river wave took control of it from the sailor.
A source said that the boat was overloaded with passengers and goods and that this might have been the primary cause of the accident.
Earlier, the Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) Chairman of Patigi Local Government Area, Mohammed Liman, said that about 110 passengers reportedly died in the accident.
Liman cited a statement by Alhassan Mohammed, a community leader in the area which gives a breakdown of the number of victims per the affected villages.
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The statement reads: “About 110 people died in the boat mishap in our area. We’re telling you about the tragedy and unforgettable memory that occurred to my people from our village EBU and other neighbouring villages close to us.
“Our village people went to a wedding ceremony in another village called GBOTI and the boat carried about 270 people and almost 1010 people were lost.
“Here’s the record for each village: Our village Ebu 61, Dzakan 38, Kpada 4, Kuchalu 2, Sampi 3.
“This is an unforgettable memory and tragedy in the history of our village.”
Etsu Patigi, Ibrahim Bologi, the paramount ruler of the area confirmed the incident while the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, issued a message of condolences to the victims’ relatives.
Umar said Governor AbdulRazaq had directed him to engage his subjects to avert future occurrences.
The Etsu Patigi urged boat operators to avoid overloading and called on governments to assist in providing life jackets to support boat operations in the axis of the state.
Meanwhile, Abdulrazaq has commiserated with the people of Patigi on the devastating news of the boat mishap.
A statement signed by Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary said, “The Governor is sad to receive reports of the boat accident involving several people, particularly residents of Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi — all in Patigi.
“The Governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the people of these communities and those from other states. He prays to Almighty Allah to repose the souls of the victims.
“The Governor, meanwhile, continues to monitor the rescue efforts already mounted since Monday night in search of possible survivors. He commends the alertness of the Etsu Patigi His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II and other local government authorities for the efforts to save as many people as possible who may have survived the mishap.”
