Twelve people died in a boat accident in Nasawara state on Sunday, the state assembly said Thursday.
The House of Assembly said the accident occurred at River Kogi Kungra Kamfani in the state capital, Lafia.
“It is very very sad that we lost 12 people, comprising men and women, in boat mishap in Arikiya, Lafia LGA,” said speaker Ibrahim Abdullahi.
“Nineteen people were on board, 12 died and seven rescued. Lafia LGA and our dear state have been thrown into mourning over this sad incident.”
He did not provide more details about the incident.
– Multiple accidents
It is the latest reported boat accident in Nigeria. In June, three people died in Calabar, Cross River state, during a ride at the popular Marina Resort.
The accident involved 14 medical students who were riding on a cruise boat.
The students had converged in the southern city from other schools in the country for the annual Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NIMSA) health week.
A student union leader said the engine of the boat failed in the middle of the river and water started entering the boat which caused it to capsize.
Two weeks earlier, more than 100 people drowned after a boat carrying them down the River Niger in Kwara state capsized.
The vessel was carrying around 300 passengers travelling from Kwara state to Niger state after a wedding.
Police said part of the vessel collapsed, causing it to flood and then capsize.
River accidents are common in that part of Nigeria. People who live in the villages bordering the River Niger often use the river as it can be faster than roads.
Boat operators often overload their rickety vessels in a bid to make more money.
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