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The Kwara State Police Command Wednesday released more details of last Monday’s boat accident in Patigi local government area of Kwara state, putting the death toll at 106.
The command also said 144 persons have been rescued.
The police had on Tuesday night confirmed that 103 persons lost their lives in the accident.
In a statement Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Okasanmi Ajayi, the police said, “The boat was said to have conveyed about 250 people from a village called Gboti via Patigi after a wedding ceremony to Ebu and Dzakan villages, all within Patigi local government area.
“On leaving the shore, one part of the boat by the engine side collapsed and water penetrated the boat, which ultimately led to the boat capsising. All efforts to draw the attention of the villagers hosting the wedding ceremony for assistance by the persons in the boat proved abortive, leading to the deaths of about 106 people.
“Among the casualties were people from Ebu Village with 61 casualties, Dzakan Village with 38, Kpada village with 4 dead, and 3 other casualties from Kogi state, putting the total number of casualties at 106 and the total number of rescued people at about 144.”
Okasanmi said the commissioner has further directed that the policemen on the rescue operation should continue in the effort while providing security for the rescued victims of the accident until they are fully recovered from the shock and handed over to their families.
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