Six persons have died and 12 others missing after two boats collided at Barin-Sakace village in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
It was gathered that the incident took place at the River Niger on Tuesday night as the victims were returning to their towns in the Shangai area of the state.
Further reports indicate that the travelers were made up of people from Giron-Masa, Toro, Dakingari and Kanzugu villages in Shanga, Suru and Yauri local government areas of the state.
The Kebbi state government had also issued a statement condoling the victims on the mishap.
According to a statement, “More than 60 passengers of the capsized canoes were rescued alive by the local divers.
“Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu during his condolence visit to the District Head, Alhaji Shehu Ahmad Sawa and families of the victims at Giron Masa in Shanga area, had issued a standing order to traditional rulers, local government chairmen, marine police, officials of the Inland Water Ways operating in the state to prohibit night travel by boats and canoes.
“The governor warned that from now security agencies have been empowered to strictly enforce the ban on night travel by boat and canoe operators.”