One person was found dead while 15 others were injured at the weekend in a boat mishap in the Idiogba community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state.
The incident occurred when the boat was conveying passengers and goods to the market in Igbokoda on the market day.
According to eye witnesses who explained that the boat which left Awoye was heading towards Igbokoda was overloaded with passengers and goods when the boat capsized.
He said the engine of the boat suddenly stopped working while on the sea and the wave of the sea reportedly capsized the boat, throwing the passengers and their good into the sea.
He said that the accident would have been averted if the transporter did not overload the boat and the passengers involved had put on their life jackets.
He however said the quick response of some local divers and officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) from the state Command averted more casualties after the mishap.
Confirming the development, the NSCDC image maker in the state, Mr Olufemi Omole in a statement said that “the State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Ondo State Command, Commandant Hammed Abodunrin has issued out a disaster alert cautioning the boat or ferry transporters at the riverine areas of the State to desist from overloading of passengers and goods which could lead to an unprecedented mishap”
Omole also said that the accident at ldiogba would have been averted if the transporter had not overloaded the boat and the passengers had their life jackets on when the accident occurred.
He said that the command was fully committed to safeguarding all critical national assets and Infrastructure, Intelligence gathering, anti-vandalism, disaster management amongst others.
The Command however, issued a stern warning that “any boat transporter caught in the act of risking the life of innocent citizens by overspeeding and overloading would be arrested and prosecuted under the law.
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