Four die, one missing in Lagos boat mishap

LAGOS— Barely a month after a speed boat capsized in Bayeku area of Ikorodu leaving many dead, another speed boat belonging to Oke’ra-Nla Boat Association in Ajah area of Lagos, weekend capsized leaving four persons dead while one is still missing at press time.
The boat with 22 passengers was heading towards Bayeku from Oke-Ira.
There were conflicting accounts of what led to the accident. While some attributed it to the boat colliding with a log of wood, another account said it was caused by boisterous water waves.
An eye witness who pleaded anonymity said the boat was hit from behind by another boat which was on top speed.
Both were said to have been hit by water waves and could not help the situation as the one behind allegedly lost control and hit the ill-fated boat which then capsized.
Seventeen persons were rescued while four bodies were recovered while one was still missing at press time.
The four bodies were said to be carpenters who went for jobs in Ajah and were returning to Agbowa area after a week.
Some of the passengers were said to have refused to wear their life jackets for the fear of Ebola Virus Diseases, EVD.
A local diver who does not want his name in print said the four bodies were found inside the damaged boat.
“The boat operator was dumbfounded and could not recollect the number of passengers in the boat. It was when we got to the jetty that we cross-checked the number and we went back only to find four bodies inside the boat,” the diver said.
WhenVanguardgot to the scene yesterday, the boat operator was said to be undergoing interrogation by the Police while officers of the affected company were said to have been invited by officials of Lagos State Waterways Agency, LASWA, for questioning.