The Kwara State Government has confirmed the death of all 37 passengers aboard a boat that capsized on Thursday evening in the Gbajibo River.
The victims, mostly traders, were travelling from Niger State to Kwara when the vessel reportedly struck an object and lost balance.
According to Rafiu Ajakaye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, the recovered bodies had been laid to rest in Niger State.
“The accident happened on Thursday evening while the traders who came to trade in Gbajigbo Mudi were returning home.
“It occurred in Niger State, and all the bodies were buried there.
“That’s why we didn’t release a statement earlier,” Ajakaye said.
The incident adds to a troubling pattern of tragedies on the Gbajibo River.
Just seven months ago, a separate boat accident in the same location claimed over 200 lives.
That incident was reportedly due to overloading and high water levels.
Local sources said the latest accident also involved overloading.
Mahmoud Gbajibo, a former chairman of the local government, said the boat was carrying traders who had just left the market at Gbajigbo Mudi when it capsized around 6 p.m. on Thursday.
“Thirty-seven bodies have been recovered so far, and several others were rescued,” he stated.
The repeated accidents on Gbajibo River have raised concerns about the lack of effective oversight and safety measures from relevant agencies, prompting calls for urgent intervention to prevent future tragedies.
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