Five persons have reportedly drowned in Taraba State following a boat mishap over the weekend.

The incident occurred when a boat carrying 14 passengers from Mayo-Reniwo village in Ardo-Kola Local Government Area to a village in Karim-Lamido Local Government capitalised midway into the journey.

Taraba State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdulahi Usman, told news men in Jalingo that the boat was carrying 14 passengers when it capsised.

According to him, while nine of the passengers were successfully rescued, five other passengers were missing and might have drowned.

Usman said a search operation was ongoing for the five victims.

Our correspondent gathered that one of the five persons missing in the accident is a pastor of a popular church in the state.

When contacted, Taraba State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Isaiah Magaji, said he was aware of a boat mishap, but could not ascertain the calibre of persons involved in the accident.

“I am yet to get a clear picture of the incident because the reports that are available to me now are very scanty. I am still expecting detailed report of what actually happened and who are the people involved,” he said.