Kwara State Governor , AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,  has sympathised with the people of Patigi, Kwara North Senatorial district, over a boat accident on Tuesday where dozens of people were feared killed and many others are still missing.

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident.

The Kwara State governor stressed that efforts are ongoing to rescue missing passengers of the boat while promising to give the process a closer monitoring.

He praised the proactiveness of Etsu Patigi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II and other local government authorities for responding promptly to the disaster.

“The Governor is sad to receive reports of the boat accident involving several people, particularly residents of Ebu, Dzakan, Kpada, Kuchalu, and Sampi — all in Patigi,” according to a government statement on Tuesday.

“The Governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the people of these communities and those from other states. He prays to Almighty Allah to repose the souls of the victims.

“The Governor, meanwhile, continues to monitor the rescue efforts already mounted since Monday night in search of possible survivors. He commends the alertness of the Etsu Patigi His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II and other local government authorities for the efforts to save as many people as possible who may have survived the mishap.” The statement said.

i-News earlier reported that a boat carrying about 100 people, including a father and his four children, overturned on Monday in Egbu village, Patigi local government area, Kwara State.

No fewer than 50 bodies have been retrieved from the disaster, which has apparently plunged the whole local government region of the state into sadness.

The victims were reported to be on their way back from a marriage ceremony in the nearby Egboti village in Niger State.

According to community sources, the deceased had traveled from Kpada village in Kwara State to attend a wedding event at Egboti village in Niger State.

Okasanmi Ajayi, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the incident on Tuesday, stating that the command had dispatched the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the Patigi local government area of the state to the area to gather more information on the incident.