NIWA recovers bodies of three medical students from Calabar boat mishap

By Seun Ibiyemi

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Monday said its search and rescue team has recovered the bodies of three medical students who drowned in a boat mishap on Saturday, 24th of June in Calabar waterways.

In a statement signed by NIWA’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Jibril Darda’u, the agency also said that 11 persons were rescued by the combined efforts of the Nigerian Navy (NNS Victory), community boat operators, and NIWA rescue team.

According to the NIWA statement, “We feel very sad to announce that NIWA’s search and rescue team recovered the three missing dead bodies of the medical students that were involved in the boat mishap on Saturday 24th June 2023 in Calabar Waterways.

“Report from our Area Manager in Calabar Engr. Stanley Onouha revealed that the Passport 19 Pleasure boat carrying 14 final-year medical students capsized in Calabar Waterways. The Final year students were in Calabar for their annual conference.

“However, 11 persons were rescued by the combined efforts of the Nigerian Navy (NNS Victory), community boat operators, and the NIWA rescue team. The three missing dead bodies were recovered in the early hours of today. 2 were from Ahamadu Bello University Zaria and 1 from the University of Uyo.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the cause of the incident was overloading (The boat is supposed to carry a maximum of 9 passengers), engine malfunction midstream, rainy weather, and heavy turbulence that capsized the cruising boat.

“NIWA has since arrested the operators and sealed the Jetty as the boat is not duly registered with NIWA, and the Jetty is also not approved by NIWA.

“The 11 survivors were taken to hospital and they are now okay and discharged.

“We commiserate with the families, friends, loved ones, and the Medical Students Association for the loss of the 3 students. We pray to God Almighty to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and may the gentle souls of the departed rest in peace.”