10 farmers were killed while 10 others were still missing as a boat carrying about 100 farmers capsized in the Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Tuesday.
The spokesman for the state Police Command, DSP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the incident and promised to release details later.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, the Local Government chairman, Yahaya Bello, who also confirmed the incident, said it occurred on Tuesday night when a rickety boat carried more than 100 rice farmers to Samanaji, a riverine community in the area.
He said 80 of the boat passengers had been rescued, while 10 were found dead and others still missing.
He assured them that rescue operation was still ongoing with a view to saving those still missing.
“Almost all the passengers are youths; small boys and girls. We have found four female and six male corpses.
“We have rescued more than 80 passengers and we are still searching for the missing others,’’ he said.
“Prior to the incident, we had called an emergency meeting with the district head of Dutsin Mari and other traditional rulers and leaders of boat operators in the area.
“The meeting was to enlighten them and warn them against the use of rickety, old boats, over-loading and travelling in the night,’’ the LG chairman added.
Bello said LG had distributed 20 new boats in 2022 in an effort to forestall boat mishaps in the area.
