In a devastating incident, at least 27 people lost their lives and over 100 others remain missing after a boat capsized on the Niger River in central Nigeria late Thursday. The boat, carrying mostly traders from the Missa community in Kogi State, was en route to a weekly market in Niger State, according to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
Search and Rescue Operations Ongoing
Emergency responders have been tirelessly conducting search and rescue operations since the accident occurred. Speaking on the efforts, Sandra Musa, spokesperson for the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the grim numbers:
“So far, 27 bodies have been recovered, but the rescue operation is still ongoing,” she stated.
Reports indicate that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets, significantly increasing the risk of fatalities. Despite the recovery of bodies, no survivors have been found, even 12 hours after the tragic incident, Musa added.
Possible Cause: Overloading
Preliminary reports suggest that the boat was overloaded, with an estimated 200 passengers on board. Such practices are common in remote regions of Nigeria, where a lack of reliable road networks leaves waterways as the primary mode of transport. Overcrowding, combined with a disregard for basic safety regulations, frequently results in fatal accidents on Nigerian waterways.
A Recurring Crisis
This is not an isolated event. The lack of enforcement of safety measures and insufficient infrastructure have made boat capsizes a recurring tragedy in Nigeria. In May 2021, over 100 people went missing and were presumed dead after a boat carrying more than 165 passengers sank in Kebbi State. At the time, only 22 people were rescued.
