A boat overloaded with passengers in northern
Nigeria has capsized, killing 21 people, according to the state rescue agency.
The boat with an estimated 50 passengers on board overturned in strong currents in a river in the Gandi district of Sokoto state on Thursday, Suleiman Karim of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) told AFP news agency.
"Rescue teams recovered the bodies of 17 women and four children on board the overloaded boat which capsized due to strong waves," he said.
He said the other 29 passengers were lucky to make it to the shore.
The passengers were heading to Garin Kare village on the other side of the river to check on their homes, which they deserted following deadly attacks last month by suspected cattle thieves in neighbouring villages.
Thousands of the villagers fled to a makeshift camp after the bandits' attack, in which 32 people were killed and dozens of homes razed.
Boat capsizes are common in Nigeria due to overcrowding and the lack of maintenance for vessels, particularly during the annual rainy season.
In July, 22 traders were killed after their boat capsized in high winds in the Isa district of Sokoto state following a heavy downpour.
Passenger boats in Nigeria, especially in more remote areas, are often poorly maintained and sometimes incapable of navigating rough waters.
But operators with narrow profit margins typically try to put on board an excessive number of passengers to boost income.
Source:ajazera
Otun Ekiti is the Headquarter of Moba Local Government Area in Ekiti State. It is located to the North of Ekiti State. It is a nodal town which shares boundary with Kwara State to the North and Osun State to the West. History Of Otun Ekiti Tradition has it that the Oore emerged from the Okun Moba (Moba Sea) in the present coastal area of Lagos with a Calabash containing water in his hand, beads around his neck and a beaded crown on his head. It is also a fact of history that the people of Otun under the leadership of Oore have settled in different places at different times, including Moba near Mushin in Lagos and passing through Ile-Ife before they finally settled at their present location. Some of the places they passed through after Ile-Ife included Akure, Oke Olodun, and Ipole before moving to the present site over 400 years ago. The movement from Ipole (about six kilometers away) to settle at the present site was due to scarcity of water. Water supply was so problematic at Ipole...
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