From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

Divers have commenced search for the remains of four missing victims of a boat mishap at Ogbaru –Ase Azaga axis of the River Niger.

The four persons were part of 15 passengers and crew who boarded the boat at Ogwuikpere,  Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Eleven were rescued and among the missing persons are a seven month-old boy, Chigemezi Oponi and a pregnant mother of three, Mrs. Deborah Ukwuenye.

Narrating their experience, yesterday,  the boat driver, Mr Charles Ezeka, said the incident happened around 6:00am, on Sunday, August 27, 2017, after they entered the town of  Age Azaga, a border community with Rivers State  when the boat suddenly hit a hidden tree stump and somersaulted, trapping most of the occupants .

He said it took the spirited efforts and intervention of other boatmen to save most of them while the remaining four passengers have not been found.

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Governorship candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, Chief Godwin Ezeemo commiserated with the family of the victims and bemoaned the state of waterways in the state.

He said the waterways makes those who live in the riverine areas vulnerable to mishaps. 

Transition Committee Chairman,  Ogbaru Local Government Council, Ignatius Ezediokpu, who led a delegation of some councillors to visit families of the survivors and those who are still missing,  described the incident as unfortunate tragedy that has thrown the entire area into mourning.

Ezediokpu explained that the area, being a riverine community, relies mostly on water transportation because of the deplorable condition of their roads.