By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Mrs. Mabel Sule, a survivor of the Gelegele boat accident and her one and half year baby, has appealed to the Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki and other well meaning Nigerians to come to her aid as she lost all she had to run her family during the boat accident.
Narrating what happened, Mabel Sule said contrary to the one person claimed to have been drowned by the Edo State Police Command, a total of eight persons were drowned in the accident.
Mabel and 26 other traders and children were traveling last week Thursday, when their boat capsizes and she had to swim with her baby to safety.
She said she was lucky to have survived the horrifying incident, which occurred while the traders were on their way to Ekewan market in Edo state.
“As we moved out of the shore of Gelegele, the engine of the boat developed a fault. The tide swayed the boat and it hit two badges stationed in the river, which resulted in the boat capsizing and getting stuck under the badge.
“I was carrying a one-and-half-year-old baby when it happened. I struggled to swim with my baby under the badge and hit my head against it several times before I eventually swam out under the badge.
“Also, everyone started scampering for safety by swimming, but unfortunately we were under the badge. Some people didn’t survive it as they were unable to swim out.
“I was carrying my baby on my lap when the accident happened and I held the baby with my one hand and used the other hand to swim. But as I was swimming and trying to raise my head above the water, I hit my head against the badge three times.
“I went deep again and started swimming until I saw brightness of the sky; that was when I raised my head. I thought my baby was already drowned, but fortunately, he survived.”
She noted that she lost all her stock, adding, “I am left with nothing as I speak with you. Plantain worth over N200,000 that I was taking to Ekewan market to sell all perished in the river.
“I want the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and the government to help me so I can go back to my business. I am pleading with well-meaning Nigerians to help me. I need to feed my children.”