A boat accident has occurred on the River Niger in Kogi State, leaving no fewer than 200 traders feared dead.
The incident happened on Thursday when a boat carrying market women and farm laborers capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi sections of River Niger while en route to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State.
As sources said, “It’s true that there was a boat accident on Thursday involving quite a number of women going to the market in Niger State. We don’t know the number of people involved as well as what led to the accident.”
According to eyewitnesses, the boat, owned by Musa Dangana, was grossly overloaded, carrying over 200 passengers. As of the time of reporting, only eight bodies have been recovered, while search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate the remaining passengers.
The National Inland Waterways (NIWA) has confirmed the incident, with the Head of Media Department, Suleman Makama, stating that he didn’t have much information about the incident at the time of speaking.
The Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebanji, has attributed the major causes of boat accidents in the past three years to human errors, drugs, and disobedience to rules and regulations.
Oyebanji noted that 99% of mishaps on the waterways are a result of human errors, with some operators living on drugs to influence their activities.
He said, “Ninety- nine percent of the mishaps on the waterways are a result of human errors. Research has shown that the operators are committing avoidable mistakes which shouldn’t have caused havoc.”
This tragic incident highlights the need for stricter safety measures and regulations on Nigeria’s waterways to prevent such avoidable disasters.
The incident is a stark reminder of the risks associated with Nigeria’s poorly regulated waterways, particularly during the rainy season when rivers and lakes swell.
In recent years, there have been several boat accidents in Nigeria, resulting in significant loss of life. In October 2024, over 100 people were feared dead after a boat carrying mostly women and children capsized in Nigeria.
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