The Kwara State Police Command has released a detailed account of Monday’s boat mishap that killed over 100 persons.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin by the spokesman of the command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, the unfortunate boat accident happened in the Patigi Local Government Area of the state at about 0300 hours on June 12, 2023.
He said information was received by the Divisional Police Officer of Patigi Divisional Headquarters to the effect that a boat accident occurred around the River Niger axis.
“The Commissioner of Police Kwara State, Paul Odama, immediately after receiving the information, dispatched a team of policemen to join the policemen and other locals already on their way to locate the exact spot the boat accident happened in the rescue efforts.
“The boat was said to have conveyed about 250 people from a village called Gboti via Patigi after a wedding ceremony to Ebu Village and Dzakan Village, all within Patigi local government area.
“On leaving the shore, one part of the boat by the engine side collapsed where water penetrated the boat, which ultimately led to the boat capsizing.
” All efforts to draw the attention of the villagers hosting the wedding ceremony for assistance by the persons in the boat proved abortive, leading to the deaths of about one hundred and six people, ” the spokesman added.
Among the casualties were people from Ebu Village, with 61 casualties; Dzakan Village, with 38; Kpada Village, with four dead; and three other casualties from Kogi State, putting the total number of casualties at 106 and the total number of rescued people at about 144.
The Commissioner of Police commiserated with the families of the dead victims, praying that the souls of the departed rest in peace.
He further directed that the policemen on the rescue operation should continue in the effort while providing security for the rescued victims of the accident until they are fully recovered from the shock and trauma of the accident and handed over to their families.
