20 more bodies have been recovered following the capsizing of a boat carrying Maulid celebrants in Gbajibo, Mokwa local government area of Niger State.
The recovery was done by local divers, along with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
However, this brings the death toll to 36, according to reports from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.
The boat, which had around 300 passengers, sank on Tuesday night at about 8pm, shortly after leaving the Mundi community.
The unfortunate incident occurred just before the boat reached its destination.
Alhaji Abdullahi Arah, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that 16 bodies were initially recovered on Wednesday, two women and 14 men. The victims were buried in the Gbajibo community.
“An additional 20 bodies were recovered on Thursday by local divers, in collaboration with NSEMA and NEMA officials, increasing the number of confirmed deaths to 36,” Arah said, noting that the search and rescue operation is ongoing.