The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) on Sunday confirmed the death of 13 persons after a boat capsized in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
According to the agency, the incident happened on Saturday, 26th July.
The NSEMA Deputy Public Relations Officer, Malik Baba Suleiman, said 26 persons were also successfully rescued from the accident.
According to him, those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident include eight women, three men, and two children who have all been buried according to Islamic rites.
Though the identities of the victims are yet to be released, Naijaonpoint understands that the incident has since thrown the community into a state of mourning.
The ill-fated boat, which was reportedly overloaded with goods and passengers, capsized near Guni village around 11:45 a.m. while en route to Zumba. It is believed that the mishap was caused by water turbulence and possible overloading, though investigations are still ongoing.
The Niger State Government, through NSEMA, has warned river users to observe safety guidelines and avoid overcrowding boats, especially during the rainy season when water levels rise unpredictably.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 13 persons have reportedly lost their lives, while over 236 others have been hospitalised following a cholera outbreak that has swept through six local government areas of Niger State.
The outbreak, which was first detected on Sunday in Shiroro LGA, has rapidly spread to Bosso, Minna, Magama, Bida, and Munya local councils, raising alarm among residents and prompting urgent intervention by the state government.
Naijaonpoint reports that the state’s Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Ibrahim Dangana, who confirmed the development on Wednesday, said the government had adopted a multi-sectoral approach to contain the spread of the waterborne disease.