Boat Mishap Claims 14 Lives In Kebbi
From : Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin-Kebbi
No fewer than 14 persons, mostly women, lost their lives following a boat mishap in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The accident occurred in Gumbi community in Gumbi Ward, when a boat conveying over 100 passengers capsized while returning from a wedding ceremony.
An eyewitness account said the passengers were returning from Gwarzo village in Ngaski Local Government Area, where they had accompanied a bride to her husband’s residence, when the incident happened.
“A breakdown of the casualties showed that 13 women and one child died in the mishap, while others were rescued.All the deceased were buried the same day in accordance with Islamic rites,” the source said.
Reacting to the incident, the State Governor, Nasir Idris, in a statement issued on Monday in Birnin Kebbi by his Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, condoled the families of the victims, the Yauri Emirate and the local government council.
The governor, represented by the Chairman of Yauri Local Government Area, Abubakar Shu’aibu, urged the affected families to accept the incident as the will of God.
“I appeal to you to accept this in good faith, bearing in mind that nothing happens without the knowledge of our Creator,” the governor said.
“God does what He wants at the time He wants, and nobody has the right to question Him.
“The Governor prayed God Almighty to forgive the shortcomings of the deceased and grant them Jannatul Firdaus, while calling for calm in the affected communities,” the statement added”.
