Around 100 people killed after boat returning from wedding capsizes in Nigeria

Around 100 people, including children, have died after a boat returning from a wedding capsized in northern Nigeria.

The incident happened early on Monday on the Niger River in the state of Kwara, close to neighbouring Niger state.

Police spokesman Okasanmi Ajayi said: “What we gathered was there was a boat that capsized and about 100 people died."

The passengers were returning from an overnight ceremony in the village of Egboti in Niger state.It was not immediately clear if there were survivors, but police say a search is underway by officials and locals.

Local resident Usman Ibrahim said that the accident happened "at about 3am and not many knew of it until hours later".

The Niger River is approximately 2,600 miles long, and is the third longest river in Africa after the Nile and the Congo.