A boat accident that occurred in the River Niger around Mmiata Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State has claimed five lives. Thirty others were rescued.
According to reports, the boat was sailing from Kogi State to Anambra through the River Niger before it got capsized at the Mmiata banks of the river.
A witness in the riverine area of the community said that the incident happened on Sunday morning and also provided a video that showed that the deceased were mainly women and children.
The Anambra State Police Command spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident when contacted, saying that its operatives received a distress call and rushed to the scene.
The State Police Command, however, said that the rescue operators were able to rescue about 30 people, while five were already dead.
Ikenga said, “The situation is under control. Our marine operatives, upon getting the distress call about the incident, responded swiftly.
” We were able to rescue over 30 of the passengers alive and recover the five lifeless bodies in the depths of the sea and the capsized boat.
“The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained as the investigation is ongoing.”
When also contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Emergency Management Authority, Chinyere Nwoye, said the agency was making contact to identify the victims.
“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 here.”
Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North Senatorial Zone, which also covers the community where the incident happened, commiserated with the bereaved families of the victims.
Nwoye blamed the cause of the mishap on the lack of a good transportation system while adding that he would provide speed boats for the riverine people in his constituency.