A tragic boat accident occurred early Friday morning along the Dambo-Ebuchi stretch of the River Niger, claiming multiple lives. The boat, owned by one Musa Dangana, was carrying over 200 passengers, including market women and farm laborers, on their way to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State when it capsized.
Eyewitnesses reported that the boat overturned, throwing all passengers into the water. Local divers and rescue teams have been working tirelessly to recover the bodies of the victims. As of the latest update, eight bodies have been recovered, but search operations are ongoing to locate the remaining passengers.
This incident follows a similar tragedy in Niger State on October 1, 2024, when another boat accident claimed numerous lives on the Muwo Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area.
Preliminary reports indicate that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets, which may have contributed to the high fatality rate. Although authorities have not yet issued an official statement, an investigation into the cause of the accident is expected.
In recent months, Nigeria has witnessed a series of deadly boat accidents. Last week, five people died in a boat collision in Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, involving two speedboats carrying family members returning from a burial. The boats capsized, with most passengers lacking life jackets.
In September 2023, another deadly boat accident occurred in Niger State, where over 50 passengers were onboard. The boat capsized, leading to the deaths of 24 individuals, mostly farm workers on their way to harvest crops.
Despite regulations by Nigeria’s waterways authority prohibiting night-time travel and criminalizing vessel overloading, these safety measures are often disregarded, contributing to recurring boat accidents.
