Boat Conveying Passengers Capsize in River Niger

A boat conveying passengers has capsized in River Niger in Anambra State.

Many people were feared dead in the boat which capsized in the early hours of Sunday, near Onitsha Bridge.

Spokesman of the state police command, Tochukwu Ikenga, said police had so far rescued 30 passengers from the boat alive.

Also, five lifeless bodies were recovered from the river and the boat.

Ikenga said the boat was conveying passengers and goods from Kogi to Anambra state when it capsized.

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An eyewitness said: Early this morning (Sunday), there was a boat that capsized at River Niger.

Some of the victims are from parts of Kogi State and Mmiata Anam in Anambra East local government area.

Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police command through its Public Relations Officer, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, said police operatives after receiving a distress call rushed to the scene of the incident and were able to rescue about 30 persons.

Ikenga said: We were able to rescue more than 30 of the passengers and recovered five lifeless bodies in the depths of the river and the capsized boat.

Preliminary information revealed that the boat was traveling from Kogi and was conveying goods and passengers before the unfortunate incident.

The cause of the mishap is yet to be ascertained as the investigation is ongoing.