Shuaibu Usman
No fewer than 2 persons were reported killed in a boat mishap in Langi Community of Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State on Friday night.
The incident was reported to have occurred as a result of overloading on the boat leading to the breaking of the peddle being used to ferry the boat.
Confirming the incident, Special Adviser to the Chairman of Wamba Local Government on Planning, Policy and Strategy, Rimeh Ali, said in a telephone chat that the passengers were being ferried home when the unfortunate incident happened.
Ali added that the boat which contained 11 passengers capsized with 6 persons missing including 2 pregnant women and 2 children.
Nasarawa Newsline‘s correspondent reports that 2 out of the 6 missing person comprising of a pregnant woman (name withheld) and a 5-year-old child were later found dead at Dogon Yashi community in Lafia East Development Area and buried today (Saturday) according to Islamic rites.
Ali, who is a stakeholder in the community, called on government to provide the community with life jackets, bridges and relief materials to assist the people in carrying out their socio-economic activities in the area.
He added that the police’s search and rescue team was at the scene of the event to rescue the victims, calling on the people of the area to adhere religiously to safety guidelines.
Nasarawa Newsline learnt as at the time of filing this report search and rescue efforts were still ongoing to ensure that all missing victims of the mishap were found.
Attempts to speak with the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Wamba Division, CSP Inuwa Zandam, proved abortive as he told Nasarawa Newsline he was not instructed to speak to the press.