President Bola Tinubu has orderd an investigation into recurring boat mishaps in the country. The President expressed grief over the death of 41 people in three separate boat mishaps in Niger and Adamawa States within three days. The mishaps occurred on the 9 September in Njuwa lake in Yola, Adamawa State, 10 September in Mokwa of Niger State and 11 September in Gurin, Fufore area of Adamawa State.
“While expressing solidarity with the governments and people of Niger and Adamawa States as they swiftly mobilised emergency response teams and volunteers to provide immediate assistance to those affected by the incidents, the President wishes a most speedy recovery to those who were injured,” the presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said in a statement.
Tinubu said government agencies would be held accountable for any regulatory or safety lapses, urging that comprehensive safety measures and enforcement must be carried out on boating activities in the country.
The president directed various government agencies, including law enforcement, maritime safety and transportation safety authorities to collaborate in identifying the causes of these unfortunate and preventable disasters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a boat conveying people to their farms in Njuwa Lake capsized and killed about 15 persons on Friday.
On Monday, another boat capsized in a river in Gurin of Fufore with many people on board.
Similarly, 26 bodies were recovered while 44 are still missing after a boat capsized in a river between the Jebba and Kainji dams in Mokwa on Sunday.
