President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the rise in boat accidents across the country.
This order follows an incident on October 1, where a boat carrying over 200 passengers to Gbajibo for the Mawlid celebration capsized in Mokwa LGA of Niger state.
In response to the tragedy, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has been conducting rescue operations to recover the victims’ bodies.
In a statement released on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Tinubu expressed his condolences to the state and families of the victims.
The president also directed NIWA to expand the scope of its surveillance of inland waters to ensure our people’s safety.
The president also told the agency to prosecute boat operators found violating the night sailing ban.
“President Tinubu commiserates with the families of the victims and prays for the repose of the souls of the dead,” the statement added.
He praised the efforts of emergency workers and local divers involved in the recovery operations.
DEATH TOLL RISES TO 36
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Ibrahim Hussaini, spokesperson for NSEMA, announced that the death toll from the incident had risen to 36.
The agency had recovered 19 bodies from the river on Wednesday, including both men and women.
Hussaini said the cause of the mishap remains unclear, and search efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining passengers.
“36 dead bodies recovered so far as at 6 pm this evening,” Hussaini said.
