Boat capsizes in Nigeria
2012-07-15 14:46
-
Nigeria
How Ethnic Rivalry and Religious Fundamentalism Threatens Africa's Most Populous Nation
Was R342.95
Now R308.66
buy now
Benin City - Three policemen and an official involved in elections in a southern Nigerian state on Saturday drowned after the boat in which they were travelling capsized, a national police spokesperson said.
"Four people died in the accident. We lost three policemen consisting of two inspectors and a constable. One INEC staff also died," Frank Mba said.
The inspector general of police has ordered an investigation into the accident, Mba said.
Mba said that the boat was provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to convey election officials and materials in riverine parts of the state.
The boat capsized on a river in Ologbo area of Edo state, the state police chief, Olufemi Adenaike, earlier said, giving a death toll of three: two policemen and an INEC official.
Three other people had survived, he said, speaking from the state capital Benin City.
INEC official Gladys Nwafor also confirmed the accident.
Edo state was preparing an election to choose a new governor.
Outgoing governor Adams Oshiomhole, who is seeking re-election, is being challenged by six other candidates in the poll.
- SAPA
