The Agriculture Commissioner of Kogi State, Timothy Ojomah, on Wednesday stated that 15 more bodies had been found from the boat accident that occurred on Tuesday in the Ibaji Local Government Area, increasing the official death count to 35.
Ojomah, in a message to our reporter, mentioned that nearly 20 additional travelers remained missing.
"By this morning, 15 bodies had been found, while nearly 20 people or bodies remain unaccounted for. The boat carried between 80 and 82 individuals, and 46 were rescued right away," he said.
The doomed vessel, said to be carrying too many merchants and locals heading to the October 1 festivities, left the Onugwa village in Ibaji bound for Ilushi market before overturning on the River Niger.
A regional farmer, James Otoga, statedThe PUNCH many of the victims had also come back from a funeral in Onugwa.
"The boat was completely filled with our people heading to the market for the October 1 celebration. Even those who had come for a funeral in Onugwa and were on their way back to Ilushi were not present. We have not yet determined the precise number of survivors and victims. So far, only five survivors have been identified, and many of our community members remain lifeless under the river," he said.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency provided another update on Thursday, mentioning that 24 passengers had been saved, 14 bodies had been retrieved, and 42 individuals were still unaccounted for.
NEMA shared in a message on X that the incident took place at approximately 5:40 p.m. on September 30, when a vessel with roughly 80 passengers overturned on the Onugwa–Olushi route.
It mentioned that community divers were supporting official rescue teams, with activities organized in collaboration with the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, the Local Emergency Management Committee in Ibaji, the Civil Defence Corps, the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Fire Service, the Red Cross, and local personnel.
NEMA mentioned that its Director-General, Zubaida Umar, had sent staff to assist with the rescue efforts, while the agency's Abuja operations head, Zakari Abubakar, went to visit the Onugwa traditional leader, Chief Patrick Arome, to offer comfort to the community.
The organization emphasized the importance of strictly following safety regulations, such as mandatory wearing of life vests and respecting the maximum number of passengers allowed on boats.
President Bola Tinubu has also expressed his condolences to the government and residents of Kogi State.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser for Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President referred to the incident as "shocking and unfortunate," and called on water transport operators to place safety above financial gain.
The statement partially said, 'The President praises the first responders at the accident site and encourages federal, state, and local emergency personnel to increase their efforts in offering essential support to those affected and injured.'
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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