5 killed, 15 missing after boat mishap in north Nigeria: police

ABUJA, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least five bodies were recovered while 15 others were missing after a wooden boat capsized in a village in Nigeria's northern state of Jigawa, the police said.

The boat, carrying at least 20 passengers and crew, capsized Thursday afternoon while crossing the Gamoda River at Nahuce village in the Taura local government area, Lawan Shiisu, a spokesman for the police in Jigawa, said in a statement sent to Xinhua on Friday.

Shiisu said the marine police have intensified a search mission to rescue the 15 missing passengers and crew.

Boat accidents are frequently reported in the West African country and are often attributed to factors such as overloading, adverse weather conditions, and operational errors.