Four dead as speed boat capsizes in Lagos

Four people were found dead and one person was declared missing after a speed boat capsized in a riverine area in southwestern Nigeria's Lagos state, residents who launched a rescue operation said This morning.

Local security sources said the boat mishap was being investigated as rescue operation continued in Oke-Ira axis of Ikorodu, where the incident occurred. The accident was caused by heavy water waves, according to Musbau Akinsanya, an eyewitness. He said that the ill-fated speed boat, with 22 passengers on board, was hit from the rear by another boat. This caused the boat, which was headed toward Bayeku, another riverine community, to capsize, he said.

Yinka Olowu, a rescue volunteer, said 17 persons have been rescued so far, while four bodies have been found. One other passenger was yet to be found, he added.

No official statement has been issued on the incident, especially by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The Lagos State Waterways Agency has, however, summoned Oke'ra Nla Boat Association, joint owners of the boat, for questioning, to help speed up the investigation by local police.