17 missing as canoe conveying 23 people capsizes in Adamawa

<p>Seventeen people are yet to be accounted for after a boat conveying 23 people capsized in Adamawa State.</p>, <p>A local boat conveying locals capsized in Njuwa Lake across Rugange village in Yola South Local Government Area, according to a witness, Faisal Dabo Rugange, who said the incident happened earlier in the day, Friday when the victims were going to Yola town for their local businesses.</p>, <p>“It was raining when the accident happened. A heavy windstorm blew water into the boat and it capsized instantly,” Faisal said.</p>, <p>He added that although the local boat was carrying more than 20 passengers, only six were rescued by local divers and a bigger boat which arrived at the scene.</p>, <p>Faisal who complained of perennial suffering by the Rugange community as a result of overflow by large volumes of water along the River Benue, said the people need bigger engine boats.</p>, <p>The Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Mohamed Suleiman, said one person died, five were rescued and 17 others were yet to be seen.</p>, <p>Also speaking on the incident, the Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said the command had deployed Marine police officers to help in the rescue operation.</p>, <p>He added that the actual number of those on board had not been ascertained as the rescue operation was still on.</p>