According to the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, no fewer than eight persons have lost their lives while 38 others were rescued in a boat mishap that occurred in Anambra state.
A statement issued in Lokoja by the NIWA General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Jibril Darda’u, on Sunday, January 7, 2024 confirmed that eight persons were feared dead in the incident as opposed to reports from the Anambra State Police Command which revealed that five persons died while 30 others were rescued.
Darda’u, stated in parts; ‘the sad and unfortunate incident happened at Umumu Anam, Anambra West Local Government Area, between Thursday (Jan. 4) and Friday (Jan. 5). The authority sincerely commiserates with the families and friends of the deceased and prays to God to grant rest to their souls”.
The NIWA Corporate Affairs Manager added that preliminary reports indicated that the wooden engine boat reported to have carried 50 passengers collided into a snag on the water channel and capsized.
It was gathered that the unfurtunate incident involved a passenger boat travelling from Idah in Kogi to Onitsha in Anambra state.
