156 feared dead in Kebbi boat mishap - Official

• Boat capsized leaves several dead

• NIWA announced this on Wednesday

• 180 passengers onboard, 20 rescued and 4 found dead

About 160 people are feared dead after a boat capsized in Kebbi State on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, this is according to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

The agency stated that only four dead bodies had been recovered “but 156 out of the 180 passengers onboard the boat were still missing and are feared dead.”

Speaking to the media, Area Manager of the NIWA in Yauri, Yusuf Birma, said the incident occurred as a result of overloading.

So far, 20 people were rescued “and the 156 people missing are feared dead”.

Mr Birma also indicated that the boat was also carrying 30 Bajaj motorcycles.

Adding that the victims from Kebbi were going to a market in neighboring Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State. when the boat reportedly broke into two pieces.

"The boat involved is a wooden boat which is old and very weak but this people will not listen when we sensitised them to reduce the number of passengers they are carrying with the boat,” he said.