A boat mishap has claimed at least 33 persons in Niger State, reports have said.
The accident, which happened over the weekend occured between Dere in Niger State and Murtala Bridge on the River Niger around 4.30am.
The boat accident was said to have occurred when a pipeline patrol team flashed its light on the boat which led to the loss of control of the passenger boat conveying about 100 passengers, causing it to hit a tree in the river before it capsized, Thisday reports.
The boat, which was conveying passengers to Lokoja market from Katcha Local Government of Niger State, was said to have broken into two, leading to several casualties as the passengers had no life vests on.
It was learnt that among the victims were people from Yawa and Baka in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.
The boat might have been overloaded as sourced told Thisday that it was carrying 100 bags of rice, baskets of fish and other valuables, apart from the 100 passengers on board.
Although, Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Abiodun Gambari, confirmed the incident, he stated however that it occurred outside the jurisdiction of the state.
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