A DARK cloud has descended on Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State following a boat mishap on Tuesday that has reportedly claimed at least 20 lives on the River Niger.
News Point Nigeria reports that the ill-fated boat, which had taken off from Onugwa in Ibaji, was heading towards the bustling Ilushi Market in neighbouring Edo State when it capsized midway between Okpu and Odumomo communities.
Witnesses say the boat, overcrowded with mostly women and children preparing for Wednesday’s Independence Day celebrations, could not withstand the turbulent waves.
Local divers who rushed to the scene recovered about 20 lifeless bodies from the water, while several others remain missing as rescue efforts continue. Six passengers were pulled out alive.
One eyewitness, Joseph Umonu from Onyedega, Ibaji’s headquarters, painted a heart-wrenching picture:
“A family lost eight members at once. Most of those on board were women and children. They were going shopping ahead of the October 1st celebrations. It is too much to bear for our community.”
Another community leader, Micheal Unwuchola, disclosed that some passengers had boarded the ill-fated boat after attending a burial in Onugwa.
According to him, their families have been in anguish since the news broke, as none have been identified among the survivors or recovered bodies.
“We don’t yet know the exact number of passengers. Divers are still in the river searching for survivors or bodies. The grief here is unimaginable,” he said.
When contacted, the Acting Manager of Corporate Affairs at the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Suleiman Usman, neither answered calls nor responded to text messages.
However, the Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, SP William Aya.
“The victims were heading to Ilushi Market in Edo State when the tragedy struck. Our operatives are still working to ascertain whether it occurred on the Kogi side of the River Niger or within Edo waters,” Aya said.
