A boat conveying residents returning from a wedding has capsized in the Niger River, close to neighboring Niger state, killing about 100 people.
The police and community residents confirmed the incident on Tuesday, as search for survivors intensified.
The Niger state police spokesman, Okasanmi Ajayi said that the boat capsized early Monday on the Niger River in the state of Kwara close to neighboring Niger state.
A source privy to the disaster said that the victims, including women and children, were returning from an overnight wedding ceremony in the village of Egboti in Niger state when tragedy struck.
He added that it was not immediately clear if there were survivors.
The source reacted further saying that, “People in the boat were to take their bikes to their various communities (upon disembarking). The boat was carrying more than 100 people when it sank.
“Many of the victims drowned because the accident happened at about 3 a.m. and not many knew of it until hours later.
“Up till now, some dead bodies are still being searched for.”
He informed that as of Tuesday afternoon, officials and locals were still searching for more bodies in the river, which is one of the largest in the country.
Analysts have attributed most boat accidents to overloading and the use of poorly maintained boats.
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