ONITSHA – A tragedy struck in Anambra State, Nigeria’s southeast, on Sunday when a boat capsized, resulting in the deaths of at least five passengers. The incident occurred around 7 a.m. in the River Niger near Onitsha, with about 30 passengers rescued after the boat accident.
The victims, predominantly women and children, were reportedly traveling from Kogi State, located in north-central Nigeria. The identities of the deceased could not be confirmed at the time of reporting.
Anambra State Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident, stating that the bodies of the five passengers had been recovered from the river. Marine police operatives in Anambra responded promptly to a distress call, rescuing over 30 passengers alive and retrieving the bodies from the capsized boat.
“The cause (of the incident) is yet to be ascertained as the investigation is ongoing,” Mr. Ikenga added.
This unfortunate event is not the first boat mishap in Anambra State. In October 2022, a similar incident occurred in Umunnankwo Community, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state, where passengers attempting to escape flooded communities faced tragedy. Boats remain the primary mode of transportation in many riverine communities in the south-eastern state.
