Survivors of a boat accident in Gwajibo, Niger State, provided conflicting accounts of the disaster, attributing it to either warning signals or a sudden windstorm. With at least 93 bodies recovered, officials emphasize the importance of life jackets and improved safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
Survivors of the tragic boat accident in Gwajibo, Niger State, which occurred on Tuesday, have provided varying accounts of the incident that resulted in significant loss of life. One survivor, Malam Ismail Ibrahim, recounted that warning signals were issued shortly before the boat capsized, indicating issues with the boat's loading. He described how the boat began to take on water, leading him to use a jerrycan to swim to safety. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of wearing life jackets, lamenting that none of the passengers were wearing them, which contributed to the high casualty rate.
Contrastingly, other survivors attributed the mishap to a sudden windstorm that struck during their journey. They reported that the boat collided with submerged logs as a result of the storm, exacerbating the situation. Community leader Mohammed Tauheed conveyed that many survivors were still in shock and struggling to recount the details.
As of now, 93 bodies have been recovered, with fears that as many as 169 people may have perished in the disaster. Local officials, including the PRO of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the grim statistics, and the community is mourning its losses. Government officials have emphasized the need for safer travel practices, including the mandatory use of life jackets and the establishment of safer transportation methods such as ferries to prevent future tragedies.
