By MF Zangbeto, one of the high capacity passenger boats operated by the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), has reportedly sunk.
BlackBox Nigeria gathered that the incident happened on Friday at the Five Cowries Ferry Terminal located in the Falomo Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
In the videos obtained by BlackBox Nigeria, the boat — with a capacity of 50 passengers — lost balance and suffered a mishap.
Though the reason for this remains unknown, many say it was unconnected with heavy downpour witnessed across the state on Friday.
However, all passengers in the boat have been rescued, according to a statement by the Managing Director of LAGFERRY, Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun.
“The boat is in our fleet, going to Badagry but unfortunately stopped 5 minutes after casting out of Five Cowries Terminal.
“All passengers have been successfully rescued while the boat moved to safer harbour till the heavy rain stopped and will be taking to dry dock for technical assessment,” he said.
The boat, MF Zangbeto, was one of the seven newly procured boats recently launched by the Lagos State Government.
The new boats were all built by Nigerian boat builders, Sierra Craft Limited, V-craft limited and Niger Benue Transport Company (NBTC) — in fulfillment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s promise to support local content.
See videos of the mishap below:
