10 farmers on Tuesday, January 3, drowned after their boat capsized in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State. 

Chairman of the local government, Yahaya Bello told newsmen that the incident occurred on Tuesday night after more than 100 rice farmers boarded a rickety boat that would take them to Samanaji, a riverine community in the area.

80 of the boat passengers were rescued, 10 were found dead while the remaining are still missing. 

Bello said; 

“Almost all the passengers are youths; small boys and girls. We have found four female and six male corpses.

“We have rescued more than 80 passengers and we are still searching for the missing others.

“Prior to the incident, we had called an emergency meeting with the district head of Dutsin Mari and other traditional rulers and leaders of boat operators in the area.

“The meeting was to enlighten them and warn them against the use of rickety, old boats, over-loading and travelling in the night.”