President Muhammadu Buhari says he is saddened by a boat mishap, which reportedly claimed several lives in Ngaski council area of Kebbi State on Wednesday.
The boat carrying 162 passengers from Niger State to the area capsized and sank to River Niger on Wednesday morning.
Chairman of Warrah Local Government Council Abdullahi Haruna confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Haruna said the accident happened at about 11 a.m.
The chairman, however, said 22 people who wore live jackets had been rescued from the mishap.
He assured that rescue search was ongoing with a view to saving the lives of those missing.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari described the incident as devastating and offered his condolences to families of victims of the incident.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has described the news of the capsizing of a boat in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State as devastating, offering his heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected by this tragedy.
“From media reports, there are indications that the boat was overloaded and there is no official confirmation on the number of casualties.
“While efforts are ongoing to recover more survivors, the President extends his gratitude to all those involved in the rescue efforts and wishes those injured from the accident quick recovery,” the statement reads.
