Two killed as another Lagos boat capsizes

Barely a week after seven people lost their lives in a boat accident in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, another boat has capsized in the Badagry area with two feared dead.

It was gathered that the fibre boat took off on Saturday from Ebute Iworo Jetty, en route to Daddilowe in Badagry, when the crash occurred around 11 am.

Our correspondents gathered that there were 10 people on board.

While eight people were rescued alive by emergency workers with the support of local divers, two other victims — a woman and the boat driver — had yet to be seen.

It was learnt that the ill-fated boat crashed into a log of wood on the water.

Only four of the passengers were reported to have used live jackets, while others did not.

The spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency, South-West zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, while confirming the incident, said the Marine Police had taken over the matter.

He said, “The open canoe conveying 10 passengers hit a log while sailing. It lost balance and capsized. Eight people were rescued alive, while two others; a woman and the boat driver, had yet to be seen.”

The General Manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Michael Akindele, said the boat capsized around Iworo Ajido Road by Aradagun bus stop in Badagry, adding that four people who were rescued alive had started receiving treatment from officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Services.

He said the agency received the distress call through the emergency toll-free number of Lagos State at about 10.47 am.

“LASEMA immediately activated necessary emergency responders, which included the Rapid Respond Squad, Lagos State Waterways Agency, NIMASA and local divers. Four people are receiving treatment from LASAMBUS. Search and rescue is still ongoing. The total number of passengers has yet to be confirmed.

“It is believed that some people are still missing, but it is wrong to say they are dead,” he said.

It was gathered that the chairman of the affected jetty had already met with the police.

The police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmus, confirmed that there were 10 passengers on board.

Badmus said, “At about 11 am, a passenger canoe with 10 passengers on board allegedly capsized at Iworo Ajido by Aradagun bus stop, Badagry.

“With the quick intervention of the police and other emergency management agencies, eight out of the 10 were rescued alive, while efforts are still in progress to recover the other two. The cause of the incident has yet to be ascertained.”