FOUR persons were found dead in the Yauri axis of the River Niger, following a boat mishap in the Agwara and Yauri local government regions of Niger and Kebbi states.
Thirty persons were reported to be on board the wooden boat transporting villagers to Yauri Market on Monday morning.
The boat, which was said to be transporting passengers from Gebbe, Kasabo, and other River Niger waterfronts to Yauri Market, capsized a few meters to its intended destination.
Shortly after the boat incident on the Yauri beachfront of the River Niger, local divers were seen mounting surveillance in search of survivors.
According to Abubakar Yelwa, Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), seven persons have been rescued, and twenty-seven more are still missing.
Yelwa noted that if passengers had worn life jackets before sailing, the fatality rate would have been close to zero. He also stated that the commission will continue to distribute lifejackets and advocate for their use.
According to Yauri authorities, investigations are still ongoing, but preliminary reports indicate that the boat capsized due to a violent wind storm that accompanied the weather.
Rescue attempts are still ongoing at the time of filing this article with majority of the victims reported to be from Niger and Kebbi state.
