By Nurat Uthman
A boat carrying approximately 22 passengers from Kasabu village in Agwara local government area of Niger to Yauri in Kebbi has overturned, as reported by Alhaji Salihu Garba, the overseeing Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA).
The incident occurred between 11am and 12pm on Monday.
Garba stated that the agency has received information about the mishap from a survivor who mentioned the presence of 22 passengers on board.
Local divers and boat owners, supervised by the agency’s desk officer in Agwara, are currently conducting search and rescue operations.
So far, no passengers have been found, and it is expected that families will be able to declare their missing relatives once the Yauri market day is over.
Garba explained that it typically takes around 24 hours for a drowned person to resurface. He attributed the cause of the incident to water hyacinth and strong waves.
