BARELY seven months after a boat mishap claimed the lives of over one hundred villagers in the Gbajibo community of Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State, another tragic incident has occurred in the same area.
This time, a boat carrying passengers returning from a market trip in Niger State capsized, resulting in the death of 27 people.
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An eyewitness and survivor of the incident recounted that the tragedy occurred three nights ago while they were returning from Niger State. According to the account, the boat capsized due to overloading.
Although he could not confirm the exact number of passengers on board, he added that strong winds from an approaching storm also contributed to the incident.
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The Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area, Abdullah Danladi, who led a government delegation to commiserate with the victims’ families, stated that the government would no longer tolerate the almost yearly recurrence of such tragedies.
He announced plans to set up a committee to enforce the use of life jackets, prohibit night travel, and implement other safety measures.
The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Umar, stated that awareness campaigns would be intensified to ensure that passengers and boat operators comply with water travel safety standards.
