President Buhari Reacts to Boat Tragedy in Kebbi, Speaks on Casualty

- President Buhari has expressed heartfelt pain over the boat tragedy in Kebbi state

- The president on Wednesday, May 26, referred to the occurrence as is a devastating one

- Buhari also thanked those who took the initiative to rescue victims of the disaster

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The boat tragedy that struck in the Ngaski local government area of Kebbi on Wednesday, May 26, has drawn comments and reactions from the presidency

President Muhammadu Buhari, through one of his media aides, Garba Shehu, described the development as devastating and expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.

Shehu via his Twitter page noted that there were indications that the disaster was the result of over-loading.

He said although the actual number of casualties is currently unknown, the president is grateful towards those involved in rescue efforts.

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The president also wished those who sustained injuries a speedy recovery.

The tweet read in part:

"President Muhammadu Buhari has described the news of the capsizing of a boat in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State as devastating, offering his heartfelt condolences to the families of those affected by this tragedy.

"From media reports, there are indications that the boat was overloaded and there is no official confirmation on the number of casualties."

Earlier, a boat ferrying about 160 passengers capsized in the River Niger on Wednesday, May 26.

The boat left Niger state and was heading to Kebbi in the northwest zone when it split and sank. Legit.ng gathered that Abdullahi Buhari Wara, the local head of Ngaski district, narrated the incident.

He said a rescue operation is underway but only 22 survivors and one dead body had been recovered, adding that about 140 passengers were still missing.

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Wara blamed the accident on overloading as the boat was meant to carry not more than 80 passengers. He added that the boat was also loaded with bags of sand from a gold mine.

The director-general of the state emergency management agency, Ahmed Inga, also confirmed the incident.

Source: Legit.ng