Five dead, 30 others rescued as boat capsizes in River Niger

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By Madu Obi

Five persons were feared dead and 30 others rescued in a boat mishap in the River Niger.

The victims, mainly women and children, were believed to be sailing to Onitsha, Anambra State from Kogi State for business transactions.

An eye witness said: "Early this morning,(Sunday), there was a boat that capsized at River Niger. Some of the victim are from parts of Kogi State and Mmiata Anam in Anambra East local government area".

The Anambra State police command has confirmed the incident. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr Tochukwu Ikenga, police operatives received a distress call and rushed to the scene of the incident and were able to rescue about 30 persons.

Ikenga said: "The situation is under control. Our marine operatives, on getting the distress call about the incident, responded swiftly. We were able to rescue over 30 of the passengers alive and recovered the five lifeless bodies in the depths of the sea and the capsized boat.

"Preliminary information revealed that the boat was from Kogi state, conveying goods and passengers before the unfortunate incident occurred."

"The cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained, as the investigation is ongoing."