11 dead in Ogun boat mishap

A boat conveying 29 people on Tafa River Maun 2 in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State was reported to have capsized leaving 11passangers dead.

The incident happened due to engine failure while the ill-fated boat was in the middle of the journey.

It was learnt that the passengers were mainly traders who were travelling with their goods from Badagry in Lagos State to Ipokia, before the unfortunate happened.

Ten of the passengers were rescued alive while the remaining eight persons were still missing.

Confirming the development, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the incident occurred as a result of overloading of the boat.

Abimbola, a Deputy Superintendent of Police said, “There was a boat mishap due to overloading. The boat travelled on the water ways at night without a leading light. It collided with a pillar in the middle of the river.

“The passengers on board were travelling from Badagry to Maun in Ipokia. It was the last boat on the ground to convey the passengers and all of them boarded it without live jackets on them.

“16 people were rescued alive. 11 people dead while two are still missing. The skipper of the boat who actually fled had been arrested.”

The remains of the dead passengers had been deposited at a morgue in Ipokia.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives.

Amosun who was represented by Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, a member representing Egbado South /Ipokia in the National Assembly, promised that government would commence the regulation of water way transport in the area and would provide live jackets for the commuters.