Police Confirm 106 Dead In Kwara Boat Mishap

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the death of 106 wedding guests in a boat mishap around the River Niger axis in Patigi Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the boat was said to have conveyed about 250 people from a village called Gboti via Patigi after a wedding ceremony.

Confirming the incident on Wednesdays,  June 14, the command spokesperson, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, said Information was received by the Divisional Police Officer of Patigi Divisional Headquarters to the effect that a boat accident occurred around the River Niger axis.

According to the PPRO, “The Commissioner of Police Kwara State, CP Paul Odama, immediately after receiving the information dispatched a team of policemen to join the policemen and other locals already on their way to locate the exact spot the boat accident happened to join in the rescue efforts.

“The boat was said to have conveyed about 250 people from a village called Gboti via Patigi after a wedding ceremony to Ebu Village and Dzakan Village, all within Patigi’s local government area.

“On leaving the shore, one part of the boat by the engine side collapsed where water penetrated the boat, which ultimately led to the boat capsizing. All efforts to draw the attention of the villagers hosting the wedding ceremony for assistance by the persons in the boat proved abortive, leading to the deaths of about one hundred and six (106) people,”the statement read.

“Among the casualties were people from Ebu Village with 61 casualties, Dzakan Village with 38, Kpada Village with 4 dead, and three (3) other casualties from Kogi State, putting the total number of casualties at one hundred and six (106) and the total number of rescued people at about one hundred and forty-four (144).

The image maker added that the Commissioner of Police, wishes, on behalf of the Kwara State Police Command, to share in the grief of the families of dead victims, praying that the souls of the departed rest in peace.

He further directed that the policemen on the rescue operation should continue in the effort while providing security for the rescued victims of the accident until they are fully recovered from the shock and trauma of the accident and handed over to their families.