18 killed, 6 missing as boat capsizes

By Famous Ozobo

About 18 persons have been declared dead and six also missing in a boat mishap on Wednesday in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when a boat conveying 24 persons celebrating Sallah capsized and killed 18 while 6 were declared missing.

It was learnt the Eighteen bodies of the victims, which were mostly children, had been recovered, while six other persons were declared missing.

A close source by Alhaji Musa Danmalami, said the victims were on their way to visit friends and relatives when the incident took place.

He further narrated that 19 persons, mostly children, were drowned, stressing that 18 bodies were recovered, just as a team from the affected villages was still on a search and rescue mission, trying to locate the remaining six.

He explained that fourteen of them were from Tsabu village while four were from Dogon Hawa village, while 15 out of the 18 were buried in Mai’adua today (Thursday).

Danmalami said that the remaining six persons onboard are still missing.

Police spokesman in Katsina, SP Gambo Isah, did no respond to calls, equally text message sent to him for comment by newsmen.