In a tragic incident along the River Niger in Kogi State, a car plunged into a canal, resulting in the loss of five lives. The unfortunate incident occurred at the Omi River in Yagba West Local Government Area, leaving the community in shock and sorrow.
Mr. Pius Kolawale, Chairman of Yagba West LGA, expressed deep sadness and confirmed the incident, noting that one occupant of the car managed to escape with the help of a fisherman who, unfortunately, lost his life in the rescue attempt. The victims included three ladies and two men, including the brave fisherman.
The chairman highlighted that the accident occurred at a sharp corner along the canal where the car lost control. He also mentioned that the road, originally intended for the maintenance of the dam by the Niger River Basin Authority, was often used by travelers as a shortcut from Oga to Lokoja.
The road’s unconventional nature and the advantage it provided as a shortcut made it a popular choice, despite its risks. The state FRSC Corps Commander, Stephen Dawulung, expressed his condolences and emphasized the importance of adhering to traffic rules and regulations to prevent such accidents.
The Kogi State Government responded to the tragic news, expressing their condolences and assuring the public that investigations into the incident were underway. The government also expressed its commitment to collaborating with the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority to enhance safety measures around the canal and ensure the protection of lives.
The government emphasized the need to prevent avoidable deaths and stated that they would provide their observations and recommendations to the authorities of the LNRBDA to prevent similar incidents in the future. They extended their sympathies to the families of the victims and the people of Yagba West and Yagba East Local Government Areas affected by the accident.