By Abiola Olawale
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi has mourned the boat accident that occurred in the Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State.
Obi, a two-term governor of Anambra State described the accident as a devastating incident.
In a post on his X account, Obi expressed his condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in the boat accident.
Obi tweeted: “While travelling to Yola in Adamawa state to deliver the keynote address at the 16th Founder’s Day Lecture, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), I received the very sad news of a tragic boat mishap.
“The incident occurred yesterday along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger, resulting in the loss of many lives.
“Reports indicate that the boat was carrying approximately 200 individuals, mainly market women and local farmers, transporting their produce to the market.
“My heart goes out to the families affected by this tragedy. These are already challenging times, and the loss of loved ones only deepens the pain. My sincere prayers are with you all.
“I also extend my deepest condolences to the government and people of Niger State. May God grant you, and all of us, the strength to endure this profound loss, and may He grant eternal rest to the departed souls.”
The New Diplomat reports that the incident happened on Friday when a boat capsized in the waters of the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger.
Giving updates on the incident, Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, in a statement confirmed that the boat, which was sailing from Kogi state to Katcha market in Niger, had about 50 passengers, which are mostly women.
He said twenty-two bodies have been recovered so far, while eight individuals were rescued alive.
