8 people, including an 11-year-old girl, feared dead in Lagos boat mishap

No fewer than eight persons were feared drowned on Independence Day after a commercial boat capsized around Apapa area of Lagos.

This coming less than a week after a boat capsized in Niger State leaving no survivors, raising question about maritime safety in the country's waters.

The boat was said to have capsized on Tuesday, when the country was celebrating its independence from colonial masters.

It occurred on  a Lagoon in the Apapa area of the state, drowning eight including an 11-year-old girl, dead.

According to reports, many of the drowned victims were believed to be fish traders, who were on their way to Apapa from villages in the riverine areas of the state.

The boat mishap was said to have happened after the passenger boat engine developed fault.

It was gathered that about 19 passengers were on board the boat, with eight of them feared killed, while the 11 others escaped.

It was further gathered that the passenger boat that originated from Sagbokoji had hardly left the village when the engine of the boat developed fault.

Some apprehensive villagers and occupants of the boat, who could swim, leaped into the water and returned to the village, while others continued with the journey.

The boat operators managed the faulty boat to Apapa area, where it reportedly stopped and capsized, plunging many occupants into the river. Local divers and others succeeded in rescuing nine persons.

The acting image maker in charge of the state police command, Damasus Ozoani, confirmed the incident. Ozoani said that information available to him had it that only two persons were suspected drowned while seven persons were rescued.

He added that rescue operation was still ongoing.