Death toll in Nigeria's Kebbi boat mishap rises to 81

The Sokoto office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has recovered 81 bodies following the boat mishap that occurred in Wara, Ngaski LGA of Kebbi state.

The unfortunate incident took place on Wednesday, May 26 as both carrying over 150 passengers capsized.

The boat was said to be on its way to a market in Kebbi state from Loko Mina in Niger state at about 7: 30 am, according to Mary Noel-Berje, a spokeswoman for the Niger State government

She said it capsized near Wara, a town on the shores of Kainji Lake, part of the Niger River, said Yahaya Sarki, a spokesman for the governor of Kebbi.

While 22 persons were rescued alive, more than 100 persons were feared to have drowned in the incident.

According to a statement from the Sokoto NEMA office, as of Thursday, 59 bodies had been recovered from the river. It has now been updated to 81.