Tragedy struck in the Gbajibo-Mudi community of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State, as 37 traders lost their lives in a boat mishap on Thursday evening.
The victims, who had attended the weekly market in the community, were returning to their homes in Niger State when the overloaded boat capsized. The incident comes less than seven months after a similar accident in the area claimed over 200 lives.
Local sources reported that the boat, which had a capacity of about 100 passengers, was carrying more than its limit. The overflowing river further contributed to the disaster.
Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Abubakar Abdullahi, and the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Omar, have visited the scene to commiserate with the affected community.
Confirming the incident, a former chairman of the local government, Mahmoud Gbajibo, told Punch in a telephone interview on Saturday, May 17, that 37 bodies were recovered by local rescue teams.
“The accident happened around 6 p.m. on Thursday. The traders had just closed from the market in Gbajibo-Mudi and were on their way back to Niger State when the tragedy occurred,” he said.
He added that while many were rescued, the mishap was primarily caused by overloading, worsened by high water levels in the river.
