Around 100 individuals, including a father and his four children, are reported to have tragically lost their lives in a boat accident at Egbu village in the Patigi local government area of Kwara state.
In response to this devastating news, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State expressed his condolences to the people of Patigi. The incident, which occurred on Monday, involved a boat carrying passengers returning from a wedding ceremony in the neighboring Egboti village in Niger State. It is believed that the boat was caught in river waves, collided with a tree, and capsized, resulting in numerous fatalities.
The entire Egboti community is in mourning, as approximately 50 bodies have been recovered from the incident so far. Sources from the village revealed that the victims had embarked on the journey from Kpada village to attend the marriage ceremony in Egboti village. The boat, reportedly carrying over 300 passengers on its return trip, capsized at Egbu village.
According to accounts provided by individuals familiar with the incident, 69 people lost their lives from Egbu village, 36 from Gakpan village, and four from Kpada village in the Patigi local government area.
The state police command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the incident and stated that the Divisional Police Officer of Patigi had been dispatched to gather further information.
Governor AbdulRazaq’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, issued a statement expressing the governor’s sorrow over the boat accident. The statement conveyed the governor’s condolences to the affected communities, including Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi, and prayed for the souls of the victims. The governor also commended the efforts of local government authorities, including the Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, in coordinating rescue operations to save any potential survivors.
