Sanwo-Olu orders inquiry into Lagos boat crash

Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered an investigation into the July 8 Mile 2-Ibeshe boating accident in which lives were lost, expressing deep sadness over to the incident while sympathizing with the families who lost their loved ones.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, made this known in a statement made available to journalists on Monday, revealing that the police were investigating what was wrong and treated the sad incident as criminal.

According to him, the boat concerned, said to be without a license, clearly violated the river rules of "no night traffic" and no overloading, adding: "In addition, not all the passengers were wearing life jackets and the boat did not take from a government-approved jetty."

"Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and others are assisting investigators," the commissioner added.

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Omotoso vowed that anyone who contributed in any way to the tragedy would surely face the law to ensure that the state does not have such incidents in the future, pointing out that the rules and Waterway regulations were clear and had to be adhered to. in accordance with the highest value that the Sanwo-Olu administration places on human life.

The commissioner, who said the thoughts and prayers of the state government are with the bereaved families, prayed to the Almighty to strengthen them at this difficult time.

"Anyone found guilty of having contributed in any way to this tragedy will surely have to face the law to ensure that we have no such incidents in the future.

“Rules and regulations for waterways are clear; they must be respected in accordance with the highest value that the Sanwo-Olu administration places on human life.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. May the Almighty strengthen them in this difficult time,” he said.