Forty-one persons have reportedly died in a boat accident that occurred in Gummi town in Gummi LGA of Zamfara state.

The boat, conveying over 50 passengers, capsized shortly after leaving the shore on Saturday.

Twelve passengers were rescued alive, while the remaining 41 drowned.

Suleiman Gummi, the lawmaker representing Gummi-Bukkuyum federal constituency in the house of representatives, commiserated with the families of the victims.

“I received with a rude shock the tragic news of a canoe capsizing accident in Gummi,” the lawmaker said in a statement.

“It’s indeed a very unfortunate and sad incident, but as people of faith, we have to submit to the will of Allah.

“We pray that Allah SWA grants eternal rest to the departed souls, the bereaved families the fortitude to bear this loss, and speedy recovery to the survivors who are traumatised by it.”

The latest boat accident in Zamfara highlights the worrying trend of repeated mishaps in Nigeria’s waterways.

On January 8, about eight people died in a boat accident that occurred in Anambra, while 20 people were killed in another boat mishap in Rivers state.

On January 15, over 100 people went missing in a boat mishap in Niger state.

In April, Junior Pope Odowodo, a Nollywood actor, and two others died during a boat mishap in Anambra state.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of four substantive commissioners of police for Lagos, Abia, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom commands.

In a statement on Friday, Ikechukwu Ani, PSC spokesperson, said the appointment is due to the vacancies created by promotion of some senior officers.

The new commissioners of police are
Isah Danladi Nda, for Abia command; Olarewaju Ishola Olawale for Lagos command; Anthonia Adaku Uche Anya fror Ebonyi command and Miller Gajere Dantawaye for Akwa Ibom command

Speaking on the posting, Hashimu Argungu, PSC chair, urged the new police commissioners to make positive impacts in the security management of their respective states.

Argungu asked the new commissioners to build efficient and effective police commands in their states.

The PSC spokesperson disclosed that the approval has been sent to Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police, for implementation.

By this development, Dantawaye will replace Waheed Ayilara, the former commissioner of police in Akwa Ibom state, who died on August 29, 2024.

Ayilara reportedly died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) from prostate cancer complications.

The federal government has declared September 16 as a public holiday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Maulud celebration.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minister of interior, announced the holiday on Friday in a statement by Magdalene Ajani, permanent secretary of the ministry.

The Eid-ul-Maulud celebration is in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Tunji-Ojo congratulated all Muslims in the country and in the diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion.

The minister, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, urged them to seize the opportunity to pray for lasting peace and a more equitable and prosperous nation.