10 dead in Nigeria as passenger boat capsizes in Lagos, says agency
Ten people were killed, five rescued and four others went missing when a passenger boat capsized in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos, a government agency said on Saturday.
The boat was heading to Badagry from the Kirikiri area of the city late Wednesday when it sank in heavy currents, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said in a statement.
“A total of 19 persons were involved in the incident; five were rescued with 10 persons confirmed dead and four passengers still unaccounted for,” the agency said.
It said most of the passengers were not wearing life jackets, contrary to maritime safety regulations.
“LASWA has apprehended the boat captain and has handed him over to marine police for further investigation and sanctions,” it said.
“The emergency and regulatory authorities are still on a search and rescue operation,” it added.
For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app
Boat accidents are common in Nigeria because of over-loading, disregard of safety guidelines, lack of maintenance and bad weather.
Last month, dozens of passengers were killed when their overcrowded boat capsized in the central Benue state.
A day earlier, seven people had died in Ikorodu, outside Lagos, when their boat sank following heavy rains.
-
Nigeria’s FM Onyeama tests positive for coronavirus
Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said on Sunday he had tested positive for COVID-19, and became the first member of President Muhammadu ... Coronavirus -
FBI kidnapped ‘Hushpuppi,’ Nigerian influencer accused of fraud, in Dubai: Lawyer
A Nigerian Instagram star accused of multimillion-dollar fraud was kidnapped by the FBI and taken to the US, his lawyer claimed to the BBC on ... Variety -
Nigeria extremist ambush on convoy leaves 35 troops killed, 30 missing
The death toll from an extremist attack on a military convoy in northeast Nigeria has risen from 23 to 35, while 30 troops are still missing, security ... World News -
Boko Haram kills 69, razes village in northern Nigeria: Sources
Boko Haram gunman killed at least 69 people and razed a village to the ground in northern Nigeria's Borno state on Tuesday afternoon, three sources ... World News -
UK court throws out $1.1 bln Nigerian oil corruption case against Shell, Eni
An English court threw out a $1.1 billion case Nigeria had brought against Royal Dutch Shell and Eni related to a dispute over the OPL 245 oilfield, ... Energy -
Nigeria destroys refining sites in Niger Delta holding 14,434 barrels of stolen crude
Nigeria’s military has dismantled illegal refining sites Niger Delta region which held 174 ovens laden with about 14,434 barrels of suspected stolen ... Energy -
Coronavirus: Nigeria seizes British plane for flouting virus flight ban
Nigeria has seized a British plane for flouting a travel ban imposed as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the aviation ... Coronavirus