13 die in boat mishap, tanker fire in Niger

Gov. Sani Bello of Niger State.

A total of seven people have died in a boat mishap on River Gbako in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State on Friday, an official of the state emergency agency said.

Similarly, six people also died when fuel laden tankers collided in Mokwa.

Malam Ahmed Inga, Director General, Niger State Emergency Management Agency told newsmen in Minna on Saturday that four women and three children drowned when the boat they were travelling in capsized.

He explained that the boat was conveying 10 female farmers from Balsa community to a rice farm across the river.

Inga said that three women were rescued by local divers after the accident, which occurred at about 11 am.

“Yabagi Ibrahim, the owner of the farm lost a wife, a daughter and granddaughter in the unfortunate incident,” he said.

Gbako River is located on the border between Katcha and Lavun local government areas of the state.

Similarly, six people also died when fuel laden tankers caused multiple accidents in Mokwa, the headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

The director general said that two petrol tankers were involved in the accident which occurred on Friday due to break failure.

“It was said to have hit the one in front, which veered off the road and rammed against the wall of a guest house in the town,” he said.

He said that the tanker with the failed break also hit another one parked with the product by the side of the road, causing an explosion and fire.

Inga said many people sustained injuries, with two in critical condition and receiving treatment at Mokwa General Hospital.