AT least 32 persons, comprising 20 children and 12 parents, have reportedly lost their lives to a boat accident in Ibbi town, Ibbi Local Government Area of Taraba State.
It was gathered that the boat was conveying over 50 fishermen from Ibbi town to the Eastern part of the country on Saturday for fishing when it capsized around Zabu between Taraba and Benue borders, along River Benue.
A resident of Ibbi town, Mallam Ibrahim Ibbi, said 20 children and 12 parents died in the accident.
Meanwhile, the state Governor, Agbu Kefas, has described the latest incident as a tragedy, coming days after a similar one at Karim Lamido.
He condoled with the people of Ibi and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.
Kefas, in a message through his Senior Adviser on Media and Digital Communication, Mr Emmanuel Bello, said the occurrence was even more unfortunate coming on the heels of another tragic boat capsize in Karim Lamido that threw the state into mourning.
He said the government was already on top of the situation as various investigations were underway to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the boat accidents in the state.
The governor said he would soon personally tour the affected areas with the aim of meeting with local stakeholders in the water transport sector.
He reiterated his earlier commitment to making water transport safe for passengers, noting that aqua tourism and investment was central to his overall economic agenda.
Governor Kefas said old boats would soon be phased out, and the use of life jackets would made compulsory for travellers using boats in the state.
