A boat mishap on the River Niger at Mmiata Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State claimed the lives of five people, with 30 others rescued.
According to reports, the boat was sailing from Kogi State to Anambra along the River Niger when it capsized at the Mmiata banks.
According to a source in the riverine section of the community, the incident occurred on Sunday morning.
A video provided to the press by the source showed the majority of the deceased were women and children.
Though the deceased have not been identified, they were said to be from a riverine area of Kogi State and were traveling by water to Onitsha for various business purposes.
The source said, “Early this morning, there was a boat that capsized at the River Niger. Some of the victims are from parts of Kogi State and Mmiata Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area.
“Most of the victims were women and children. Rescue operators who arrived at the scene some moments later dived into the waters and recovered their lifeless bodies and they were deposited by the bank of the river. We were able to count over 10 lifeless bodies as rescue operations were still going on.”
When contacted, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, verified the event, stating that operatives responded to a distress call and arrived on the spot.
Ikenga, on the other hand, stated that the rescuers were able to save approximately 30 people, five of whom had already died.
Ikenga said, “The situation is under control. Our marine operatives on getting the distress call about the incident responded swiftly.
“We were able to rescue over 30 of the passengers alive and recovered the five lifeless bodies in the depths of the sea and the capsized boat.
“Preliminary information revealed that the boat was from Kogi State, conveying goods and passengers before the unfortunate incident occurred.
“Meanwhile, the cause is yet to be ascertained as the investigation is ongoing, please.”
When reached, Chinyere Nwoye, the State Emergency Management Authority’s Public Relations Officer, stated that the organization was contacting the victims to identify them.
“We are making contact and we have also called the police. We heard that the victims were mostly from Kogi. But we plan to visit them here.”
Meanwhile, Tony Nwoye, the Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial Zone, which includes the community where the incident occurred, condemned the boat crash and sent his condolences to the victims’ families.
Nwoye blamed the tragedy on a lack of a robust transit system, saying that he would supply speed boats for riverine residents in his constituency.
