The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) is ramping up search and rescue efforts after a boat mishap in the Gabjibo community of Mokwa Local Government Area.
Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the Director-General of NSEMA, announced this in a statement in Minna on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on October 1 at around 8:30 PM on the River Niger upstream of the Jebba Dam. The boat, carrying approximately 300 passengers—mostly women and children—was en route from the Mundi community to Gbajibo for Maulid celebrations.
Arah stated that the agency is working in collaboration with the state Ministry of Transport, the Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers to coordinate and monitor the search and rescue operations.
So far, over 150 individuals have been rescued alive, thanks to the quick response from community volunteers.
“The agency will provide accurate and timely updates on the situation,” Arah assured, adding that the cause of the mishap has yet to be determined.