A tragic boat accident on the River Niger has left Kogi State reeling as over 200 passengers, primarily market women and laborers, are feared missing.
The vessel, owned by Musa Dangana, capsized on Thursday along the Dambo-Ebuchi stretch en route to Katcha Market in Niger State.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the incident, with Suleman Makama, Head of Media, stating, “Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause and exact number of casualties.” Eyewitness accounts suggest the overloaded boat tipped during its journey, plunging its passengers into the river.
Rescue efforts have so far recovered eight bodies, with many still unaccounted for.
Emergency teams and local divers are racing against time to find survivors.
This disaster highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of inland waterways and the enforcement of regulations to prevent overloading.
Makama urged calm, assuring that an official statement detailing the tragedy will be released soon.
The incident underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures to prevent further loss of life on Nigeria’s waterways.
