At least 100 people have been killed after a boat capsized in northern Nigeria, police have said.

A search for survivors is under way after the boat overturned on the River Niger on Monday morning (12 June), close to neighbouring Niger state, Kwara state police spokesman Okasanmi Ajayi said.

The victims, including children, were returning from an overnight wedding ceremony in Egboti village, in Niger state a resident in the area, Usman Ibrahim, said.

Mr Ibrahim said: “People in the boat were to take their bikes to their various communities [upon disembarking]. The boat was carrying more than 100 people when it sank.”

He added that since the accident happened in the early hours of the morning – at around 3am – not many knew about it until hours later.

“Up till now, some dead bodies are still being searched [for],” he said.