No fewer than 17 out of 23 people being conveyed in a local boat in Adamawa are feared missing after it capsized.
The boat capsized in Njuwa Lake while conveying the passengers across Rugange village in Yola South Local Government Area.
A witness, Faisal Dabo Rugange, disclosed that the incident happened Friday as the victims were en route to Yola town to transact the day’s business.
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“It was raining when the accident happened. A heavy windstorm blew water into the boat and it capsized instantly,” he said, adding that although the local boat was carrying more than 20 passengers, only six were rescued by local divers and a bigger boat, which arrived at the scene.
Faisal lamented that the Rugange community were suffering as a result of overflow by large volumes of water along the River Benue, positing the people need bigger engine boats.
The Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Mohamed Suleiman, said one person died, five were rescued and 17 others were yet to be seen.
Also speaking on the incident, the Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the command had deployed Marine police officers to help in the rescue operation.
He added that the actual number of those on board had not been ascertained as the rescue operation was still on.
