Eight persons were feared dead after a boat carrying about 50 traders from a local market had a mishap in River Niger.

The boat was ferrying traders from Warra, Ngaski Local Government Area in the southern part of Kebbi State, who were returning from a Malale local market in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Survivors who spoke to our reporter on phone said the accident occurred around 6:05 p.m. on Friday towards the end of the 90 minutes journey in the boat from Malale to a nearby river bank in Warra.

According to Hamza Dogonhaske, one of the survivors, the boat hit a stump in the water which made the boat to break into two, killing seven passengers made up of three males and four females.

“The boat was not speeding and had attempted to make emergency turn away from the stump. The wooden boat hit the stump and broke into two. Some us who know how to swim and nearby boats were able to rescue many who could not swim,” Mr. Dogonhaske said.

Garba Hassan, Sole Administrator of Ngaski LGA, while confirming the incident, however said eight people were so far reported dead and that death toll might increase.

“We have mobilised local divers and additional boats to continue search and recovery of bodies. So far, we have recovered eight bodies, while survivors have been taken to hospital, many of whom have fully recovered and discharged,” he said.

Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Deputy Senate Leader representing Kebbi South, when contacted, expressed shock over the incident.

He described the incident as unfortunate and greatly diminishing. “I have to cancel my scheduled overseas trip and right now I am on my way to the scene of the mishap,” Senator Na’Allah said.

He condole the Governor of Kebbi State and the Emir of Yauri and all those who lost their loved ones in the unfortunate incident.

News Express recalls that over 40 persons had also on a Friday in September 2013, died after a boat carrying about 150 traders and wedding guests capsized in same River Niger area, about four kilometres offshore near Malale village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The boat was ferrying people from Tungar Na’illo from neighbouring Kebbi State to same local market in Malale, when it also hit a stump and broke into two.

At least 42 dead bodies were said to have been recovered from the river.

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