MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, June 14 (Reuters) - The death toll from an overloaded boat that capsized in a remote part of Nigeria's north central region has risen to more than 100, police and officials said on Wednesday, in one of the worst such disasters in recent years.
The wooden boat was ferrying people to Kwara state across a river from neighbouring Niger state after a wedding ceremony when it capsized on Monday night.
Kwara state police spokesperson Ajayi Okasanmi told Reuters on Wednesday that 103 people had been confirmed dead.
It was not immediately clear how many people were in the boat, but some residents put the figure at more than 200.
Overcrowding and poor maintenance are responsible for most boat accidents on Nigerian waterways.
Persons:
Ajayi Okasanmi, Okasami, Alhaji Bologi, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Nick Macfie
Organizations:
Reuters, Thomson
Locations:
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Nigeria's, Kwara, Niger, Patigi