Two children reportedly die in Niger boat mishap

Two children have been confirmed dead while two others sustained various degrees of injuries in a boat mishap that occurred in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.

 

The Overseeing Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) /, Alhaji Salihu Garba, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Saturday.

 

Garba said the incident occurred on Friday at about 6:00 pm when the boat engine caught fire due to a mechanical failure and inflamed a gallon of petrol stored inside the vessel.

 

He further disclosed that 145 passengers were in the boat, adding that they were from Danbo community in Kogi State.

 

Garba added that the passengers were on their way back from Katcha market when the incident occurred.

 

He said that the body of one of the deceased children had been recovered while the search for the remains of the second missing child was still ongoing.