International

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed the death of 22 persons in a boat mishap around Mahuta community in Agwara Local Government Area of the state.

Malam Hussaini Ibrahim, the Public Relations Officer of the agency, confirmed the incident in Minna on Wednesday.

He said the deceased were traveling on Tuesday from Yauri in Kebbi and Mage around Kontagora area to Manhuta in Niger.

Ibrahim said that seven of the travelers were, however, rescued.

According to him, the victims were traveling to Mahuta following information that a divine stone, with an islamic inscription was found there, when their boat capsised.

“Some of the survivors said the boat hit a log of wood inside the river and capsized,” he said.

He said the bodies of the deceased were deposited at the General Hospital in Yauri.