At least 25 people, including 10 members of the same family, lost their lives in a boat accident in Shiroro Local Council of Niger State. The incident occurred about 11.45am on Saturday, in Gunu community, as passengers were travelling to the Kwata-Zumba weekly market.

The boat, overloaded with farm produce and passengers, mainly traders, capsized mid-journey.Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Director-General, Abdullahi Arah, on Saturday.

“NSEMA has received a report of a mishap, which occurred on July 26, about 11.45am when a boat loaded with commodities and an unspecified number of passengers heading towards Kwata-Zumba Market capsized along with its occupants,” Arah stated.

He mentioned that a rescue team comprising NSEMA officials, local divers and volunteers was immediately dispatched to the scene, and that efforts were ongoing to retrieve bodies and rescue possible survivors.