Boat Capsizes In Lagos, Claims 4 Lives

Tragedy has again struck in Lagos as, barely a month after a speed boat capsized in Bayeku area of Ikorodu leaving many dead, another speed boat belonging to Oke’ra-Nla Boat Association in Ajah area of Lagos capsized over the weekend leaving four persons dead while one is still missing.

It was gathered that the boat which had 22 passengers was heading towards Bayeku from Oke-Ira before the sad incident occurred.

However, there were conflicting accounts of what led to the accident. While some attributed it to the boat colliding with a log of wood, another account said it was caused by boisterous water waves.

An eye witness who pleaded anonymity said the boat was hit from behind by another boat which was on top speed.Both were said to have been hit by water waves and could not help the situation as the one behind allegedly lost control and hit the ill-fated boat which then capsized.
Seventeen persons were rescued while four bodies were recovered. The four bodies were said to be carpenters who went for jobs in Ajah and were returning to Agbowa area after a week.Some of the passengers were said to have refused to wear their life jackets for the fear of Ebola Virus Diseases, EVD.

In another eyewitness account, "The boat operator was dumbfounded and could not recollect the number of passengers in the boat. It was when we got to the jetty that we cross-checked the number and we went back only to find four bodies inside the boat,” the diver said.

Officers of the affected company were said to have been invited by officials of Lagos State Waterways Agency, LASWA, for questioning while the Nigerian Police force are still carrying our further investigations on the mishap.

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