Five feared dead as boat capsizes in Lagos

About five persons were feared dead when a boat capsized in Lagos on Wednesday evening.

An eyewitness told The Guardian that the boat was travelling from CMS to Ikorodu.

Bodies of the victim were brought to the jetty at Ipakodo in Ikorodu outskirts of Lagos.

The Lagos State police spokesman, Chike Oti, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) who confirmed the incident noted that 16 persons were rescued alive.

According to Oti, “the information reaching us from the Marine Unit of the command reveals that five persons died in the boat mishap, while 16 persons were rescued.

Our marine team is still combing the waters to see if there are other victims.

“The Commissioner of police, CP Imohimi Edgal, has ordered the officer in charge of the marine unit to investigate the remote cause of the accident,” he said.

This is coming two months after 24 passengers escaped death when two boats collided and capsized in Ojo.

Managing Director, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) who also confirmed the incident said the boat, ‘Blue Boat Marine’ was travelling from Marina Jetty heading towards Ikorodu Terminal loaded with 20 passengers and two crew members.

According to him, the boat capsized at about few minutes after 5:00p.m. while it was on its last leg of the journey not too far from destination.

“13 people have been rescued while five are dead. There is still a search for remaining two persons,” he said.

He added that the boat has been recovered from the scene while joint rescue effort by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASWA patrol team and boat operators was still ongoing.