A boat carrying 39 passengers capsized in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, leaving 13 dead and 26 others rescued.
The vessel, heading to the Kwata Zumba Market, overturned near Guni village at about 11:45 a.m. on Saturday. According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the accident was caused by water turbulence and suspected overloading.
NSEMA’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, Malik Baba Suleiman, confirmed the incident on Sunday, stating that search and rescue efforts began immediately, and all 13 bodies were recovered. The deceased have been buried in line with Islamic traditions. Among them were eight women, three men, and two children.
The tragedy has thrown the local community into mourning, as residents expressed grief over the recurring nature of such disasters. In response, the state government has cautioned boat operators to strictly follow safety protocols, especially during the rainy season when water levels become dangerously high.
Saturday’s incident adds to a string of deadly boat accidents in the area. In November 2024, a boat transporting around 200 passengers from Kogi to Niger State capsized, resulting in at least 27 fatalities. The previous month, another serious mishap led to the deaths of dozens. In December 2023, 76 people lost their lives in Anambra State after a boat sank in a swollen river during flooding.
Despite the National Inland Waterways Authority’s efforts to enforce safety regulations—such as banning night travel and outlawing overloading—compliance remains weak across many riverine communities. Due to deteriorating road infrastructure and rising highway insecurity, a large number of Nigerians continue to depend on water transport for trade and daily travel.
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