A boat which capsized in the Gbara area of the Mokwa LGA in Niger state, has left at least six persons dead.
Five people are still unaccounted for, according to a statement from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) on Saturday.
The incident allegedly took place on Friday night as the boat, carrying 48 passengers, was making its way back to Gbara village from the Danchitagi village market in the Lavun LGA.
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NSEMA attributed the incident to heavy downpour which was accompanied by windstorm.
“NSEMA has received a report of boat mishap that occurred yesterday evening around 6:30pm at Gbara area of Mokwa LGA (River Kaduna),” the statement reads.
“The boat, which took off from Lanchikagi village of Lavun LGA, was heading to Gbara village. There were 48 passengers on board and they were said to be returning from Danchitagi village market (Lavun LGA) which comes up every Friday.
“The cause of the incident was as a result of heavy downpour which was accompanied by violent windstorm. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are still ongoing.”
In recent weeks, flooding has occurred in Niger, along with several other states in the nation.
18 people were confirmed dead from flood-related causes a few days ago across the state’s LGAs.
In addition, it was reported that a total of 49,953 people in the state’s 15 IDP camps had been impacted.
