Capsized boat: 54 bodies recovered, others remain missing

Published

4 months ago

December 3, 2024

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No fewer than 54 bodies have been recovered from the boat accident involving about 200 traders in Kogi State.

The figure was disclosed to our correspondent on Saturday by the Head of Operations covering Kogi State at the National Emergency Management Agency, Justin Uwazuruonye.

Uwazuruonye said, “The figure of the recovered bodies as of today (Saturday), according to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and NEMA is 54. They were recovered dead.

“We tried to know if they could make the manifest available, but they said there was no manifest, and if there is no manifest, we can’t say the exact number of passengers on the boat. Besides, it was a night journey, and none of them had life jackets on.”

The National Inland Waterways Authority confirmed the boat accident on Friday.

The Head of NIWA’s Media Department, Suleman Makama, stated that the traders were traveling to a market in Niger State on the boat when it capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger.

Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has called for inter-agency collaboration to prevent waterways accidents.

Ododo, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismail Isah, expressed sadness over the accident, saying he was concerned that most of the victims were women, petty traders, and artisans involved in legitimate business activities.

He expressed concern about the dangers on the waterway linking Kogi with Niger State.

“The waterway linking Kogi and Niger State is becoming increasingly dangerous as a result of frequent boat accidents,” he said.

The governor called on relevant authorities to ensure that safety measures were put in place to minimize risks associated with water transportation in the country.

“Efforts should be made through inter-agency collaboration to prevent further accidents and coordinate emergency response,” he noted.

Ododo commiserated with the families of those involved in the accident, promising that the government would support those injured in their recuperation.

Pascal Dozie, Founder Of Diamond Bank Passes Away At 85

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4 hours ago

April 8, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The founder of the defunct Diamond Bank Plc, Pascal Gabriel Dozie, has died at the age of 85.

According to Business Day, Dozie passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

His death came just a day before his 86th birthday, following a battle with an age-related illness.

Dozie was best known as the founder of Diamond Bank, one of Nigeria’s most innovative financial institutions before its merger with Access Bank.

He served as the bank’s chairman before handing over leadership to his son, Uzoma Dozie.

Dozie is survived by his wife Chinyere Dozie, and five children among other relatives.

Security forces foil kidnapping in Katsina, one civilian killed

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18 hours ago

April 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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A kidnapping attempt was foiled in the early hours of April 5, 2025, in Gidan Yan Ali, Kurba Village, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, after security forces engaged armed bandits in a fierce gun battle.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the assailants believed to be part of a larger criminal network stormed the village around 11:45 p.m., setting corn stalks ablaze and attempting to abduct women and livestock.

Prompt deployment of security personnel led to a swift response, forcing the bandits to flee into the nearby bush.

During the confrontation, a villager identified as 40-year-old Murtala Dayyabu Sidi was shot and killed by the attackers.

The intervention of security forces ensured the safe rescue of the kidnapped women and the recovery of stolen animals, which were returned to their rightful owners.

Investigations into the attack are ongoing.

Lagos: Cause of Ijora-Badia explosion revealed

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1 day ago

April 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has revealed the real cause of the explosion that rocked the Ijora-Badia area of Lagos on Sunday afternoon, injuring no fewer than 15 people.

According to a statement by the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, the explosion occurred around 4:10 p.m. inside a mini shop stocked with 25kg gas cylinders.

The shop, located within a bungalow that housed 15 self-contained rooms and seven other shops, reportedly had five gas cylinders at the time of the incident.

Adeseye attributed the explosion to the mishandling of gas, which caused a leak that was ignited by a nearby flame.

“It was a case of poor handling of gas products, which unfortunately allowed gas to escape and come in contact with a flame. This triggered the explosion,” she confirmed.

The resulting fire, she said, was promptly extinguished by a team of firefighters from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station, with support from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and LASAMBUS.

While no fatalities were recorded, 15 persons sustained varying degrees of burn injuries.

Adeseye noted that several victims were treated with first aid on-site, while others were taken to nearby hospitals for further medical care.

She also assured residents that the area has since been secured and normalcy restored.