A boat mishap at the weekend reportedly claimed about 27 lives at the Gbajibo-Mudi community of Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
A similar tragedy occurred on October 5, 2024, in Gbajibo-Mudi village, when passengers traveling for the Islamic Maulid festival lost their lives due to overloading.
That incident claimed over 200 lives, and the state government spent N2 million to cover the medical bills of survivors
The latest incident according to THISDAY checks occurred around 6.00p.m three days ago when the passengers were traveling from the town to Niger state for commercial purposes.
It was gathered that, about 100 passengers were said to be on board when the incident occurred.
Although, there were survivors of the incident but the people of the community have been working round the clock to rescue the survivors.
Sources close to the town said on Sunday that, the Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Abubakar Abdullahi, and the Emir of the community, Alhaji Muazu Shehu Omar were said to be on the ground to supervise the rescue operations.
Speaking on the incident, the chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Abdullahi who led the government delegation to commiserate with the families of the victims said the government will no longer tolerate the nearly yearly occurrence.
He said a committee will be set up to ensure usage of life jacket and stoppage of night travelling among other measures.
Also speaking, the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Omar said enlightenment will be intensified to ensure passengers and boat operators adhere to water traveling safety standard.
Hammed Shittu
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