By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The latest on Ibaji boat mishap indicated that the people of Onugwa and other riverine communities in Ibaji Local Government are the most affected.
Onugwa as a riverine community has a population of over 300 people in the Local Government Area.
Like other communities, they are predominantly farmers.
It is located along the bank of the river Niger, and it serves as a major point of convergence for people traveling from other nearby communities across the River Niger to Illushi in Edo State to sell their farm produce.
The journey turned tragic on Tuesday when the boat conveying about 80 passengers capsized.
While about 40 of the travellers were said to have been rescued, the Idah Station Head of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Williams Isaac says, 36 of the passengers died.
The Station Head says that rescue efforts are still in progress as of the time of filling this report.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Usman Ododo, State Governor, represented by Comfort Egwaba, Deputy Speaker Kogi State House of Assembly, expresses shock over the incident.
She says that immediately the state government got the information, it directed all relevant agencies to swing into action on rescue operation.
The governor further calls on the people to adopt simple safety measures while travelling as he prays God to grant the deceased external rest
