More than 20 farmers were feared dead as a boat carrying about 100 farmers capsized in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State on Tuesday.
Kebbi State Police spokesperson, DSP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the accident and promised to release details later.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Wednesday, chairman of Koko/Besse Local Government Council, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, also confirmed the accident.
He 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 that the rescue operation was still ongoing with a view to saving those still missing.
According to him: “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.
The council chairman added: “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, overloading and travelling in the night.’’
Bello recalled that the council distributed 20 new boats in 2022 in an effort to forestall boat mishaps in the area.
