Another boat mishap in Niger as 2 children drown, 143 escape death

Maureen Aguta

Two children were confirmed drown in a boat mishap on Friday in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State, however about 145 passengers on the wrecked boat escaped death by the whiskers.

Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident which occurred at about 6pm.

In a statement by the overseeing Director General, NSEMA, Garba Salihu, two other persons sustained injuries and are currently having medical attention.

The DG said, “NSEMA received a report of a boat mishap that claimed two children’s lives leaving two other persons injured in Katcha LGA.

“The incident occurred when a boat engine caught up with fire due to mechanical failure and inflamed a jerry can of petrol stored inside it.

Salihu stated that, the 145 passengers are indigenes of Danbo community in Kogi State, and were on their way back from Katcha market when the incident occurred.

Furthermore, he said, so far, one corpse has been recovered while search is still ongoing for the second child.