Six feared dead, 12 missing in Kebbi boats’ collision

Six people have been confirmed dead while 12 others are still missing as two canoes with 78 people collided on the River Niger in Shangai Local Council of Kebbi State.

The incident, it was learnt, occurred in the night while the victims were returning to their respective communities in Shangai area of the state.A statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Abubakar Mu’azu Dakingari, said more than 60 passengers of the capsized canoes were rescued alive by the local divers.

It added that Bagudu, during his condolence visit to the District Head, Alhaji Shehu Ahmad Sawa and families of the victims at Giron Masa in Shanga area, had issued a standing order to traditional rulers, local council chairmen, marine police, officials of the Inland Water Ways operating in the state to prohibit night travel by boats and canoes.

It said: “The governor warned that from now, security agencies have been empowered to strictly enforce the ban on night travel by boat and canoe operators.”The statement added that the governor also extended his condolence to the Emir of Yauri, Alhaji Zayyanu Muhammad Abdullahi and the people of the Emirate, Toro, Dakingari and Kanzugu villages on the tragedy and he prayed to Allah to grant those who lost their lives Aljanna Fiddausi and their family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Meanwhile, Sawa and a member of the House of Assembly, representing the area, Muhammadu Tukur Giron-Masa, have commended the governor for the prompt response of his administration to the issue of the canoe mishap and the financial assistance it gave to the family of the victims.