President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sorrow over a boat tragedy in Ibaji Local Government Area, Kogi State, which killed 14 people on Tuesday.
He asked emergency responders and transportation companies to step up safety precautions on the country’s inland waterways.
Chronicle NG reported on Wednesday that 14 people were killed in a boat crash in the state’s Ibaji Local Government Area at about 4:30 p.m.
According to an eyewitness report and a farmer in the LGA, James Otoga, the tragic occurrence occurred when the boat, which was completely loaded with people, left Onugwa village in Ibaji for Ilushi market but capsized, killing 14 persons.
“The boat was fully loaded with our people going to market for the first of October celebration. Only five survivors have surfaced yet, and over 20 bodies have been recovered so far, and more of our people are lying lifeless beneath the Niger River.
“Even those who came for a burial in Onugwa and returned to Ilushi were also missing. We have yet to confirm the number of people on board and those who survived,” he stated.
Tinubu expressed his sympathies in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, entitled ‘President Tinubu Commiserates With Victims Of Ibaji Boat Mishap.’
According to the statement, the victims included traders traveling from Ibaji to the Ilushi market in Edo State.
Tinubu called the event “shocking and unfortunate,” stressing that the victims were on legal missions to earn money.
“The President commends the first responders at the accident scene and urges federal, state, and local emergency responders to step up their efforts to provide needed assistance to survivors and victims,” it read.
He also urged water transport operators to prioritize safety over profit and prayed for solace for the bereaved and swift recovery for the injured.
