About one hundred wedding guests on Monday were feared dead in a boat mishap at Egbu village in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The victims were reportedly returning to Kwara State from a wedding ceremony in Niger State they their boat capsized on the high sea of Niger River.
Exact figure of passengers on board could not be immediately verified as the boat was said to be overloaded.
The Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has expressed shock over the incident.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, on Tuesday, the governor, who mourned the death of the victims, commiserated with their families and members of the community where they live.
The statement read in part: “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. We will continue to monitor ongoing rescue efforts with the hope that there will be some survivors.”
Speaking further, Abdulrazaq commended the traditional leader of the community and local authorities for their promptness in launching rescue operations, saying: “He commends the alertness of the Etsu Patigi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, and other local government authorities for the efforts to save as many people as possible who may have survived the mishap.”