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Another Boat Accident in Kebbi State; Fourteen Lives Lost
Another Boat Accident in Kebbi State; Fourteen Lives Lost
By Oghenewoke Onoriode – Waterways News Correspondent
A tragic boat accident occurred on Monday in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State, claiming fourteen lives – thirteen women and one child.
The accident took place at Gumbi village after passengers had accompanied a bride to her husband’s house in Gwarzo village, Ngaski LGA, as part of a wedding celebration. The boat capsized while returning home, throwing more than one hundred passengers into the water.
Governor Nasir Idris attended the funeral prayer and condoled with the families of the deceased. He urged them to accept the will of God Almighty in good faith and prayed for the deceased to be granted Jannatul Firdaus (paradise)
This tragic incident adds to Nigeria’s ongoing challenge with boat safety. NIWA is the federal agency saddled with the responsibility of ensuring safety on Nigeria waterways. The agency recently won an award for its efforts that yielded some 70% reduction in boat accidents. Boat accidents in Nigeria are often due to overloading, poor boat maintenance, and lack of enforcement of safety regulations.