The number of deaths in the recent boat mishap in Niger state has risen to 54.
Punch reports that Justin Uwazuruonye, Kogi head of operations at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), gave the update on Saturday.
The boat reportedly conveying over 200 people from Kogi, capsized in the wee hours of Friday, along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger.
The passengers were mostly female traders heading for the Katcha market in Niger state.
Twenty-two bodies were recovered from the river on Friday while many were declared missing.
Uwazuruonye said the boat had no manifest.
“The figure of the recovered bodies as of today (Saturday), according to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and NEMA is 54. They were recovered dead,” Uwazuruonye was quoted as saying.
“We tried to know if they could make the manifest available, but they said there was no manifest, and if there is no manifest, we can’t say the exact number of passengers on the boat.
“Besides, it was a night journey, and none of them had life jackets on.”
Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, has called for enhanced safety measures on the country’s waterways following the incident.
In a statement issued by Ismaila Isah, his special adviser on media, Ododo said the waterways have become increasingly dangerous.
The governor implored relevant authorities to ensure that safety measures are in place to minimise risks associated with water transportation.
