Niger boat accident: Buhari mourns victims, tasks authorities on safety

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, called on transportation authorities to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations on the nation’s waterways.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President made the call while mourning victims of the boat mishap in Tijana village of Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

The statement was titled ‘President Buhari mourns victims of Niger boat accident.’

According to the statement, the President noted that it was more disheartening that victims of the mishap were Internally Displaced Persons.

It read, “President Muhammadu Buhari expresses immense grief on the boat mishap in Tijana village of Munya Local Government Area of Niger State and extends his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the dead and the injured."

“According to the President, this incident is more disheartening as the victims were reportedly Internally Displaced Persons.

“Commending the life-saving work of the first responders and local divers at the scene of the incident, the President wishes the wounded a speedy recovery and success on the search and rescue of some missing passengers on the capsized boat."

“President Buhari calls on the transportation authorities to ensure strict adherence to safety regulations on the nation’s waterways and urges that lessons from this accident should help prevent a future occurrence."

“He assures residents of Niger State that restoring long term stability and peace is a core objective of the Federal Government working with the State government and other critical stakeholders in the local communities.”