By: Joy Enamuna

The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebanji has sympathised with 17 boat passengers involved in a mishap.

It was learnt that the boat departed from Addax Jetty on 21st February 2024 at approximately 18:25 hours, headed for Ibeshe.

According to a statement sent to Lagos Trace News by Engineer Sarat Braimah, Lagos Area Manager at NIWA, “the boat unfortunately struck an unidentified object in the middle of the channel around the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge, causing significant damage. In an effort to mitigate the situation, the captain navigated to the shore.”

Although it is still a preliminary report, the statement further stated that “upon receiving the information, NIWA’s Search and Rescue Team, along with other agencies, sprang into action and successfully rescued 15 out of the 17 passengers. Currently, one passenger is missing, and one has been confirmed dead.”

The rescue operation is still ongoing in an attempt to locate the missing person.

“Further information will be released as the rescue operation progresses.”