Scores of travellers were feared dead and many missing as a boat conveying them from Egboti in Niger state en route Kpada in Patigi, Patigi local government area of Kwara state, reportedly capsised.
The boat, which also had people from other states on board, was reportedly travelling from Egboti in Niger state en route Kpada in Patigi local government area of Kwara state when it capsised.
Meanwhile, the Kwara state governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has commiserated with the people of Patigi on the devastating news of the mishap in which dozens of people were feared killed and many others still missing.
“The governor is sad to receive reports of the boat accident involving several people, particularly residents of Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi — all in Patigi,” according to a government statement on Tuesday.
“The governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the people of these communities and those from other states. He prays to Almighty Allah to repose the souls of the victims.
“The governor, meanwhile, continues to monitor the rescue efforts already mounted since Monday night in search of possible survivors. He commends the alertness of the Etsu Patigi His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II and other local government authorities for the efforts to save as many people as possible who may have survived the mishap.”
Blueprint recalled that Patigi, a riverine community in Kwara North, was worst heat by flood in 2022 with about 1,300 households and 2, 800 persons affected, while large hectares of farmland and houses were also submerged according to the managing director of Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa.
The Emir of Ilorin and chairman Kwara state council of chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described the boat accident as unfortunate and disheartening.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the emir’s spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, the royal father extended the condolences of the entire members of the Kwara state traditional rulers council to the Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Bologi II, the government and people of the state over the incidence.