The National Inland Waterways (NIWA) has confirmed that the boat accident that occurred in Niger state in northern Nigeria at the weekend claimed more than 22 lives.
The Head of Media Department of NIWA, Mr. Suleman Makama, said that the deceased from Kogi State were on their way to the market in Niger State when the boat capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi sections of the River Niger, killing yet to be ascertained number of women.
Local media reports said that the Niger State Emergency Management had confirmed that 22 passengers died in the boat mishap which occurred on the River Niger.
The reports said that the capsized boat was sailing from Ebe community in Kogi State to Katcha market in Niger state with 50 passengers on board and that 22 bodies had been recovered, while eight persons were rescued alive
The reports also said that the Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebanji, blamed human errors, drugs and disobedience to the rules and regulations as the major causes of boat mishaps that have occurred in the past three years.
Oyebanji said that the NIWA was committed to the safety of the Nigerians using water transportation.
GIK/APA