19 children drowned in Nigeria’s Kwara as boat overturned

At least 19 children have drowned in the Niger River in a boat mishap in Kwara, a state in Western Nigeria. The boat was conveying the children across Niger River for a traditional wedding ceremony in a community in Niger.

The boat was reportedly carrying 21 people, mostly children when it suddenly overturned. Two of the passengers were rescued while the rest 19 people drowned. All the efforts to rescue those passengers proved abortive.

Men of the Nigeria Police accompanied by State Fire Service jumped into the rescue mission and recovered four dead bodies. When contacted, Alhaji Sulyman Aliyu, Secretary of the Lafiagi Traditional Council confirmed the incident although he was unable to give the exact number of casualties as rescue efforts were still going on.

"I deeply sympathise empathise with the Emir, the good people of Lafiagi and the family of the victims," Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said.