Two persons, a man identified as Mr Idowu Lawal and a female identified as Fatima have been confirmed dead while 14 others were rescued after a boat capsized in the Igando area of Lagos state around 8pm on Wednesday October 1st.
According to Vanguard, the boat took off from Akesan and was heading to Imoshe in Ogun state, when it capsized almost immediately. Witnesses said the boat couldn't withstand the tides of the river.
Unfortunately none of passengers wore a life jacket. After the boat capsized, some passengers who could swim swam to the shore of the river while local fishermen present at the time of the incident were able to rescue some others. Unfortunately two people were unable to survive it.
The boat operators didn't tell the police about the unfortunate incident as no report was made to the Igando police station. A police source said even the families of those who died in the mishap had not come to them to lay any complaint.
Omolara, a relative of Mr Idowu Lawal whose body is still missing, said her brother was on his way home to attend to his expectant wife who called him to tell her she was about to give birth
"Lawal was a mechanic. He had three children. His pregnant wife called him on the phone to rush home that she was in labour. I believe he decided to take this route so as to get home early.
Ordinarily, he had a phobia for river. The challenge we are confronted with is how to get his recovered bodies. I cannot find the person that called me on phone. He has absconded with the body out of fear of being arrested by the Police.” she said
The other deceased, Fatima is said to be a petty trader who had gone to buy jewelries which she intended to sell before Salah celebration tomorrow.
Shouldn't boat operators be made to carry enough life jackets for the passengers? Avoidable deaths.....May their souls rest in peace
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