A tragic boat accident on the River Niger in Kogi State has claimed the lives of at least 54 people, with many others still unaccounted for. The incident involved a boat carrying approximately 200 traders.
Justin Uwazuruonye, the Head of Operations for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Kogi State, provided the update on Saturday. Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities and local divers continue the search for more victims.
The ill-fated boat was reportedly overloaded with traders returning from a local market when it capsized. The accident has plunged the community into mourning, with families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.
Boat accidents on Nigerian waterways are not uncommon, often caused by overloading, poor maintenance, and a lack of safety measures.
Uwazuruonye said,
“The figure of the recovered bodies as of today (Saturday), according to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and NEMA is 54. They were recovered dead.
“We tried to know if they could make the manifest available, but they said there was no manifest, and if there is no manifest, we can’t say the exact number of passengers on the boat. Besides, it was a night journey, and none of them had life jackets on.”
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the incident, which occurred on Friday.
According to Suleman Makama, Head of NIWA’s Media Department, the traders were traveling to a market in Niger State when the boat capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi stretch of the River Niger.
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