Scores of persons, including a father and his four children, died in a boat mishap on Monday in Egbu village, Patigi local government area of Kwara State.
According to unconfirmed reports, the number of victims could be up to about 100.
The deceased persons were returning from a marriage ceremony at neighbouring Egboti village in Niger State before the incident occurred. They were said to have taken off from Kpada village.
It was gathered that about 50 bodies had so far been recovered from the scene of the incident, thus turning the entire community in mourning mood.
It was also gathered the tempest from the river tossed the boat around, making it to hit a tree. The boat capsised thereafter.
Another account said that no fewer than 300 passengers on a return trip from the event were on board the ill-fated boat.
Breakdown of the number of the deceased include 69 from Egbu village; 36 from Gakpan village and four from Kpada village in the Patigi local government area of the state.
Speaking with The Nation, the Kwara State command spokesperson, Ajayi Okasanmi, confirmed the incident.
He added that the command had dispatched the Divisional Police Officer of local government to the area.
He said that there was “A scanty report of a boat that capsised carrying about 100 people in a village in Patigi local government area of the state; I will give you more details on the incident as soon as I get more information.”
