By Alaba Ajibade
At least, six children have been feared drowned and eight others rescued on Wednesday as a Fibre boat collided with a canoe at Ojo area of Lagos, Nigeria
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) who was alerted of the boat mishap confirmed that 14 school children who were being conveyed across Ojo to Irewe betty to school were involved in the accident.
According to NEMA, “a speed boat was said to have ran across their boat which caused the children boat to lost control, the incident occurred around 8:00 a.m., 6 children are yet to be recovered as at now, ” it stated in a text message to News Investigators.
It would be recalled that NEMA had issued strong warning 2 weeks ago against the ongoing turbulence on the sea and the need for ferry or boats to operators and their users to be careful while carrying out their daily activities.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) told African Examiner that the tragedy occurred around 9.00am, confirming that 14 children were in the boat when it happened.
According to him, eight children and the driver had been rescued alive, with five of them taking to the Igando General Hospital and three discharged to go back home.
Oke-Osanyintolu added that six other children were still missing as rescue operation continued.
In his words: “at Ojo Local Government, Irewe area, a fibre boat ran into a canoe carrying 14 children around 9am. Eight of the children and the canoe driver have been rescued. Five have been taken to Igando General Hospital for treatment, three have been discharged home while six passengers are still missing. Rescue operation continues.”
He said the rescue operation was carried out by the Local Emergency Committee led by the Executive Secretary of Ojo Local Government, adding that the passengers were not wearing live jacket when the tragedy occurred.
