Villagers perish inside river while fleeing terrorists in Niger

A boat mishap has claimed numerous lives of villagers fleeing from bandits attack.

A report said 14 bodies have so far been recovered from the Zumba-Guni River in Niger State.

Michael Madaki, a resident reportedly said four children and nine women were among those whose corpses were pulled out of the water.

Efforts to remove other drowned persons were said to be ongoing.

The state Governor Abubakar Sani Bello  said the incident was “disturbing and painful”.

He directed the agency to also provide succour for the remaining fleeing villagers.

Nigeria’s largely impoverished northern region has seen sustained terrorism, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and wanton destruction of livelihoods and properties.