NIGER: Three missing as passenger boat burns to ashes

THREE persons were reported missing after a wooden passenger boat was gutted by fire shortly after taking off at Katcha community in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State on Friday.

According to an eye witness, Abdulmalik Adamu, the incident happened at about 6pm shortly after the boat finished loading goods and passengers who were retiring to their villages after the weekly Katcha market day.

He said the boat operator was powering the engine when it caught fire, forcing the passengers to scamper for safety.