At Least 60 Feared Dead in Niger State Boat Tragedy

By Diafa Doubra,

A tragic boat accident on the River Niger has left at least 60 people dead after a vessel carrying over 100 passengers capsized earlier this week.

The ill-fated boat, which was transporting mourners to a burial, reportedly struck a submerged tree stump, causing it to overturn. Witnesses said the accident happened suddenly, giving passengers little time to escape. Local divers and emergency responders rushed to the scene, managing to rescue several survivors, while many others remain missing.

Authorities have described the incident as one of the deadliest inland waterway disasters in recent years. The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed that efforts are ongoing to recover bodies and account for the missing.

In response to the tragedy, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy announced plans to distribute 42,000 life jackets nationwide in a bid to improve safety on Nigeria’s waterways. Officials are also urging passengers to strictly adhere to safety rules, including the use of protective gear.

Boat mishaps remain a recurring danger in riverine communities across the country, often linked to overloading, poor regulation, and lack of safety equipment. Families of the victims are now mourning their loved ones, while the nation grapples with yet another avoidable tragedy.