The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that 24 people were rescued after a boat accident in Kogi State.
On Thursday, NEMA said that 42 people are still missing, and rescue work is still going on.
The boat accident happened on Tuesday evening. The boat, which had about 80 people on board, capsized in the River Niger.
The boat left Onugwa community in Ibaji Local Government Area and was going to Olushi village when it sank.
NEMA said the accident has caused many deaths, and many people are still missing.
NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, asked the Abuja Operations Office to help with the rescue mission.
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So far, search and rescue teams have found 14 bodies, and they are still looking for more missing people.
Local divers are helping official rescue workers from NEMA, KOSEMA, NIWA, the Red Cross, Civil Defence, and the Fire Service.
NEMA said they will keep giving updates as they get more information.
The head of NEMA’s Abuja Office, Zakari Abubakar, visited the traditional ruler of Onugwa to offer his sympathy.
On Wednesday, the Kogi State Government said that at least 26 people had died in the accident.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, called the accident a very sad loss and shared the governor’s sympathy with the victims’ families.
Governor Usman Ododo asked state agencies to help the families affected and work to make water travel safer.
The Kogi State Government said it stands with the people of Ibaji Local Government Area during this sad time.
Both NEMA and the Kogi State Government said people must follow safety rules when traveling on water.
They advised river communities not to overload boats and to always wear life jackets when traveling.
