Tragedy struck yesterday in Otto-Awori Local Council Development Area, LCDA of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria as 10 persons have drowned in a boat mishap in Otto-Awori Local Council Development Area, LCDA of Lagos State.
The accident occurred at Imude area of the council when a passenger boat conveying passengers from Idoluwo-Ile Village to Ikotun, all riverine communities, overturned, drowning 10 people in the process.
Reports say the wave from a Julius Berger Speed Boat taking staff of the company to Under Bridge in Otto-Agbara led to the capsizing of the boat which was about halfway to its destination.
A Supervisory Councilor in Otto Awori LCDA Mr. Wasiu Rasak while confirming the incident said the passenger boat was conveying people who had gone for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in Idoluwo-Ile Village to Ikotun when the tragedy occurred.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA confirmed that 10 passengers were missing after the incident, saying that five of the dead bodies had been recovered in a rescue operation carried out by LASEMA and Merchant Navy.
He said LASEMA had been warning people using such local boats to make use of live jackets for safety, while he lamented that the passengers were not putting on live jacket, which contributed to their death.
Oke-Osayintolu, disheartened by the tragedy said most of the victims were teenagers.


SOURCE: http://www.informationnigeria.org/2012/10/10-drown-as-boat-capsizes-in-lagos.html