One Dead, 15 Injured In Boat Mishap In Ondo

‘Tosin Ajuwon, Akure.

One person has lost his life while fifteen others were injured in a boat accident that occurred in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The mishap, it was gathered on Sunday, happened when the boat was ferry some passengers and goods from Idiogba waterside of the area.

Hammed Abodunrin, Ondo State Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, confirmed the unfortunate incident.

Mr. Abodunrin, who spoke in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Olufemi Omole, blamed the boat accident on over-speeding and overloading of passengers.

He said, “The boat had left Awoye town and sailing to Igbokoda market in Ilaje LGA when its engine failed and all efforts to make it safe proved abortive while the wave of the sea took off the boat.

“The accident would have been averted if the transporter did not overload the boat and the passengers involved had put on their life Jackets”.

He added that the deceased had been moved to the hospital morgue while the other victims are responding to treatment.

While expressing his condolences to the family of the deceased, Mr. Abodunrin cautioned passengers using the water transportation mode to exercise the duty of care while sailing on the sea.

He warned that any transporter caught in the act of risking the lives of innocent citizens by overloading would be arrested and prosecuted under the law.

According to him, the NSCDC Command is fully committed to Safeguarding all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Intelligence gathering, Anti-Vandalism, and Disaster Management.

He, however, advised the general public to exercise caution while plying through the waterways most especially during this rainy season.