Thirteen lives were lost following a tragic boat accident in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday. According to officials from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the deceased included eight women, three men, and two children.
The Director General of NSEMA, Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the heartbreaking development in a statement to journalists on Sunday. He revealed that the boat, carrying 39 passengers and market-bound goods, capsized after hitting a submerged tree stump. Twenty-six passengers were rescued alive, while the 13 victims have since been buried.
The unfortunate incident occurred around 11:00 am when the boat was traveling from Kwata to Zumba, en route to the popular weekly market. Eyewitness accounts suggest the impact with the tree stump tore the boat into two, plunging passengers into the river.
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A follow-up statement by the Director of Information and Special Duties, Ibrahim Hussaini, disclosed that some survivors, including the boat driver, received medical attention at General Hospital, Kuta, with at least one already discharged.
In response to the tragedy, the Niger State Government reiterated its commitment to improving riverine safety. Efforts from NSEMA, the National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have included distributing life jackets to rural communities and intensifying public safety campaigns.
Boat mishaps remain a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s inland waterways, often due to poor safety compliance, overloaded vessels, and hidden hazards like submerged logs. Authorities are urging travelers to prioritize safety measures and avoid night journeys across rivers.
The state government has assured the public of ongoing investigations and pledged to strengthen regulation of boat operations to prevent future tragedies.
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