5 missing, others injured as boats collide in Lagos

No fewer than 5 passengers have been declared missing, following a boat accident at Imore town in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

Hundeyin said that the police received a distress call about the boat accident on Monday, October 7.

He said: “A distress call was received at Ilashe Division that two unregistered passenger boats, both having 16 passengers onboard, collided at  the middle of the lagoon at Imore Town.

“In the process, the boats capsized and passengers got drowned with the goods.

“Teams of conventional/marine policemen, local divers and other emergency responders were swiftly mobilised to the scene where 11 of the passengers were rescued with injuries.

“The injured were rushed to Navy Hospital, Navy Town, Alakija, for medical attention, while search and rescue operation is being intensified with a view to recovering bodies of victims.”

The police spokesperson added that an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) said five individuals have not been accounted for in the boat accident.

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The General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Emmanuel noted: “A boat collision occurred yesterday evening at Imore on the Lagos waterways, involving two vessels: ‘Only God 13’ and a wooden boat.

“At approximately 7:00 p.m., ‘Only God 13’ travelling from Ebute Ero to Badagry with 15 passengers, collided with a wooden boat carrying 10 passengers from Alakija to Imore.

“Fortunately, all 15 passengers on board ‘Only God 13’ were rescued safely and are waiting at the jetty to collect their goods.

“However, five passengers from the wooden boat sustained injuries and are receiving medical attention.

“Regrettably, five other individuals remain unaccounted for, and search and rescue efforts are ongoing.”

Emmanuel said LASWA officials and the officers of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) convened an emergency meeting with Imore community chiefs and the state marine officer.

The meeting, the LASWA boss said, was to coordinate rescue operations and support affected families.

“LASWA, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, NIWA, marine police, and local operators are working tirelessly to locate the missing individuals and provide assistance to those affected,” Emmanuel added.

The Star