Bauchi Boat Mishap Claims 30 Lives

No fewer than 30 persons have been feared dead when a canoe capsized in Kirfi Council Area of Bauchi State, according to eye witnesses accounts.

But a statement from the Police in Bauchi Tuesday said the incident occurred on Monday morning while a canoe conveying 25 male passengers on Kuna River in Kirfi Council Area capsised.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abubakar Kamal Datti, confirmed that the command received a distress call to provide rescue team in collaboration with locals after which it immediately mobilised to the scene and successfully rescued 18 passengers.

As at press time yesterday, four people were confirmed dead, while three passengers are still missing, “but efforts are on to trace and possibly rescue them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Bala Muhammed, who expressed shock over the incident when he visited the scene, said 15 people have been rescued and donated N10m to the victims’ families.

However, peace initiatives by security agencies to end attacks in parts of Plateau State suffered a setback yesterday as gunmen killed three women on their farms at Vatt Community in Foron District of Barkin-Ladi Council Area of the state.