Lagos Boat Mishap: 13 more bodies recovered

Nothing less than 13 other bodies were recovered from the ill-fated boat, which sailed from mile 2 to Ibeshe, a Lagos suburb, on Saturday, summing up the total number of bodies recovered to 17.

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Zonal Coordinator, South-West, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, made the announcement yesterday in Lagos.

Farinloye said: "Two more bodies were recovered last night (Saturday) in addition to the two recovered in the morning. A total of 17 bodies have now been recovered.

“Illegal operators were found to be providing their services after hours at 7:00 p.m., in violation of inland navigation operating rules.

"It has emerged that regulators have been trying to root out illegal operations by small boat operators who rarely use life jackets after official opening hours, but further efforts are being made to stop them.

“It has also been observed that wooden boats are not allowed to be used as passenger boats, but it is only at these unusual times that the illegal operators always risk the lives of unsuspecting passengers.

"Efforts are being made to bridge the gaps with all stakeholders such as the Nigerian Navy's Special Boat Service, Association of Boat/Ferry Operators of Nigeria, LASWA, NIWA, NEMA and the Marine Police to address the situation."

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