Niger State in mourning as overloaded boat capsizes, kills 13

A tragic boat mishap on Saturday in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State has claimed the lives of 13 passengers, while 26 others were successfully rescued.

The incident occurred near Guni village around 11:45 a.m. as the ill-fated boat was heading to Zumba.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident on Sunday through its Deputy Public Relations Officer, Malik Baba Suleiman, who stated that the deceased, including eight women, three men, and two children, have been buried in line with Islamic rites.

According to NSEMA, the boat was reportedly overloaded with both goods and passengers.

It is believed that water turbulence and overloading were contributing factors, though investigations are still ongoing.

The incident has thrown the local community into mourning, with the identities of the deceased yet to be made public.

The government has urged river users to adhere strictly to safety protocols and avoid overcrowding boats, especially during the rainy season when river conditions can become unpredictable.

This tragedy adds to a growing list of deadly boat accidents in Niger State and across Nigeria.

In November 2024, at least 27 lives were lost when a boat capsized on the Niger River while transporting over 200 passengers from Kogi to a food market in Niger State.

Just a month earlier, a similar accident on the same river reportedly involved over 300 passengers.

In another heartbreaking incident, 29 children drowned nearly a year ago while heading out to collect firewood.

In December, flooding in southeastern Anambra State resulted in at least 76 people drowning when their boat capsized.

Boat travel remains common in Nigeria due to poor road networks and security challenges along many highways.

The Niger River, a major West African waterway, serves as a critical trade route.

However, safety lapses and non-compliance with regulations, including night travel and overloading, continue to put lives at risk.

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The National Inland Waterways Authority has repeatedly warned against such practices, but enforcement remains weak, and tragedies like this continue to occur with alarming frequency.