Niger State, Nigeria – Tragedy struck on Tuesday evening when a boat carrying nearly 300 passengers, mostly women and children, capsized on the River Niger in north-central Nigeria.
The passengers were en route to a Mawlid celebration, a significant event in the Islamic calendar, when the accident occurred near the Gbajibo Community, close to Mokwa, around 8:30 p.m. local time (1930 GMT).
The head of Niger State’s emergency agency, Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed that local authorities were alerted immediately, prompting a large-scale rescue effort.
So far, 16 bodies have been recovered—two females and 14 males—according to the agency’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Audu Husseini.
Authorities fear the death toll could rise as dozens of passengers remain missing. Local divers and volunteers from the community have rescued approximately 150 survivors, but many remain unaccounted for.
Husseini noted that the search for more bodies was ongoing late Wednesday. “We expect to recover more,” he said, as recovery teams continued scouring the water.
The cause of the capsizing has not been officially determined, but overcrowding is often a significant factor in such incidents, particularly on poorly regulated waterways.
Overloaded and Dangerous Conditions
Preliminary reports suggest that the boat may have been overloaded at the time of the accident.
According to witnesses, the passengers were tightly packed onboard, which likely contributed to the vessel’s instability on the swollen river.
With the rainy season in full force, water levels in Nigeria’s rivers and lakes tend to rise, making boating more dangerous.
This latest incident is part of a concerning trend of boat accidents across Nigeria. Many of the country’s inland waterways are poorly maintained and lack the necessary safety oversight.
Life vests are often in short supply, and boats are frequently loaded beyond capacity. These factors combine to make Nigeria’s rivers a hotspot for such disasters.
Just last month, a similar tragedy unfolded in Zamfara State, where an overloaded boat carrying more than 50 farmers sank while crossing the Gummi River.
More than 40 passengers are believed to have drowned in that incident, further highlighting the dangers of Nigeria’s waterways.
Community Response and Ongoing Rescue Efforts
As news of the boat disaster spread through the region, community members rushed to the scene to assist with rescue efforts. “Brave local divers and volunteers were the first to respond,” said Arah, adding that their efforts were instrumental in saving many lives.
State emergency teams have since joined the rescue and recovery operations, and helicopters were deployed to help coordinate efforts along the river.
However, the difficult terrain and high water levels have hampered the search for missing passengers. Authorities are urging local communities along the riverbanks to report any bodies they might find washed ashore.
Call for Regulatory Reform
The recurring nature of boat accidents has sparked renewed calls for better regulation and enforcement of safety standards on Nigeria’s waterways.
Overcrowding, a lack of safety equipment, and minimal supervision continue to make boat travel a risky endeavor for millions of Nigerians who rely on rivers for transportation.
“We cannot allow these tragedies to keep happening,” said a local lawmaker in Niger State. “The government must do more to enforce safety standards and regulate the use of boats, particularly during the rainy season when the risks are even higher.”
The accident comes as the country continues to grapple with multiple challenges, including flooding and ongoing violence in certain regions, straining resources and slowing emergency response times.
For now, the community is focused on mourning the loss of lives and finding the missing. As rescue efforts continue, many Nigerians are left hoping for reform that could prevent future tragedies on the nation’s waterways.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
