Tragedy strikes Niger: 27 Dead in boat mishap

At least 27 people have died after a wooden boat carrying 138 passengers capsized on Kainji Lake in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State.

The accident occurred on Tuesday around 11:49 a.m. along the Shagunu–Dunga axis. A rescue team from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) arrived at 1:33 p.m., recovering 27 bodies-eight on Monday and 19 on Tuesday.

According to NIWA’s Niger-Kwara Area Manager, Akapo Adeboye, 46 men, 58 women, and several children were rescued with life jackets.

The boat has since been removed, while rescue efforts continue.

The operation involved NIWA, River Marshalls, security agencies, and local community leaders, who pledged to sustain water safety measures.

Local residents described the tragedy as one of the worst in recent years on Kainji Lake, noting that overloading and poor enforcement of safety regulations remain recurring causes of such disasters. Many victims were said to be traders travelling to local markets.

Community leaders have called for stricter enforcement of passenger limits and regular safety drills, stressing that awareness campaigns and provision of life jackets must be prioritised in riverine areas.

According to Channels TV, NIWA officials confirmed that investigations are underway to determine whether negligence or non-compliance with safety rules contributed to the mishap.

Authorities also assured that additional patrols will be deployed to waterways in Niger and Kwara States.

Maritime experts argue that without stronger investment in modern ferries and regulation of locally built wooden boats, accidents will continue to endanger lives.

They urged both federal and state governments to treat inland waterways safety as a national priority.

The tragedy adds to a string of recent boat accidents across Nigeria, including incidents in Sokoto, Jigawa, and Niger States, which have claimed dozens of lives.