The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, confirmed that about eight persons died while 38 others were rescued in a boat mishap that occurred in Anambra State.
Although the Anambra State Police Command said five persons died while 30 were rescued, the NIWA General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Jibril Darda’u, in a statement issued in Lokoja on Sunday, Jan. 7, confirmed eight dead.
Darda’u said 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,” he said.
According to him, preliminary reports indicated that the “wooden engine boat rammed into a snag on the water channel and capsized with 50 passengers on board.
“From the records, eight persons were confirmed dead at the scene, while 38 others were rescued immediately.
“The sad incident involved a passenger boat travelling from Idah in Kogi to Onitsha in Anambra,” he added.