Father, 4 children, over 98 other wedding guests perish in Kwara boat mishap

Daniel Dauda, Jos with agency report

Tragedy struck at Egbu village in the Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State, as 103 lives among them a father and his four children were lost as their boat capsized while returning from a marriage ceremony.

Both the Police and the paramount ruler of the area, Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, have confirmed the disaster.

The spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, in an update on the boat accident, confirmed the death toll of 103.

He said the names of survivors will be made public once they are available.
The tragedy has thrown the entire local government area into mourning, with approximately 50 bodies of passengers recovered so far.

Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Liman, the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman of Patigi LGA, stated that the accident claimed the lives of around 110 passengers.
Liman quoted a statement from Alhassan Bala Mohammed, a community leader in the area, who reported that about 270 people were on board the boat.
From their records, 61 villagers from Ebu, 38 from Gakpan, four from Kpada, two from Kuchalu, and one from Sampi lost their lives in the incident.

The boat accident occurred on Monday while the victims were returning from a marriage ceremony in Egboti village, Niger State.
A source who pleaded anonymity attributed the accident to overloading by the boat which capsized during the return trip.
“A river wave took control of the boat, causing it to collide with a tree and throw many people into the river”, he stated.

Meanwhile, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Mai-Martaba Alhaji (Dr.) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed his deep sorrow over the unfortunate and disheartening boat accident.
He conveyed the condolences of the Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council to Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Bologi II, the government, and the people of the state.
He Emir prayed for comfort and strength for the families of the victims during this difficult time.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Emir’s Spokesman, Malam Abdulazeez Arowona.

The emir prayed for the families of victims of the boat mishap for God’s absolute comforts at this trying time.

“Our hearts and prayers are with you at this auspicious moment and may Almighty Allah give you all the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss this incidence might cause you,” the Emir said.

The first class traditional ruler also prayed that Almighty Allah grant the deceased eternal rest, with mercies and forgiveness, and also grant their loved ones the fortitude to bear the great loss.

Meanwhile, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has expressed dismay over the news of no fewer than 100 people who are feared dead in a boat accident in Egbu village, in the Patigi Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Tuesday, the governor commiserated with families of the victims and members of the community where the incident occurred.
He expressed deep sadness over the unfortunate incident, which claimed scores of lives.
The statement read, “The Governor is sad to receive reports of the boat accident involving several people, particularly residents of Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi — all in Patigi.
“The Governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the people of these communities and those from other states. He prays to Almighty Allah to repose the souls of the victims.

The statement added that the governor will continue to monitor ongoing rescue efforts, hoping that there will be some survivors.

Pastor, 20 others shot dead in Plateau

Similarly, suspected gunmen have killed Rev. Nichodemus Kim of the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN) and 20 others in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The pastor was killed at Gana-Ropp community of Barkin Ladi, while others were murdered in Rim, Jol, and Kwi communities of Riyom.
Mr Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Movement (BYM), a socio-cultural group, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Jos.
According to him, the communities were attacked simultaneously, adding that the attacks were highly coordinated.
He explained that the attacks which ocurred on Sunday night, left many persons with various degrees of injuries, adding that scores were currently displaced.
”Twenty-one persons were killed and several others injured on Sunday during coordinated attacks by militias on residents of Rim, Jol, Kwi communities of Riyom as well as Gana-Ropp community in Barkin Ladi
”Two persons were killed at Rim, seven at Jol, 11 at Kwi, all in Riyom, while a clegyman, Rev. Nichodemus Kim, was killed in Gana-Ropp Barkin Ladi.
”The attacks on Rim, Jol and Kwi were simultaneously coordinated and held between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday.
”In Kwi, an entire community, Hei-gwe, was razed and over 100 farmlands destroyed,” he said.
Tengwong called on the government and the security agencies to fashion out lasting solutions to the spate of attacks and killings in communities.
”The BYM under the leadership of Solomon Mwantiri, hereby condemns the coordinated attacks and other forms of provocation meted out on innocent persons of Plateau since after the 2023 general elections.
”We call on the new administration  both at Federal and state levels, to come up with new strategies to address the security situation in the country and particularly in Plateau.
”Security personnel must also wake up to their statutory responsibilities to safeguard lives and property.
”BYM equally calls on the Berom nation to remain calm and law abiding, but must explore every avenue to defend their communities as we cannot sit and watch while they kill us one after another,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Alabo Alfred, could not be reached for comments.
However, Mr Caleb Mutfwang,  the Governor of the state, confirmed the killings in a statement by Mr Gyang Bere, his Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA).
The governor further confirmed the kidnap of a traditional ruler in Mushere, Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.
He promised residents of the state of his commitment towards tackling the spate of attacks, killings, kidnapping and other security challenges currently facing the state.
”Let me assure the people that we are retooling the security apparatus of the state and by the special grace of God we will have a secured Plateau,” he said.
The governor called on the residents of the state to keep away their differences and unite towards moving the state forward.