In a tragic incident in Niger State, Nigeria, more than 100 individuals are currently missing after a wooden boat, which was carrying predominantly women and children, capsized. Authorities reported that the vessel, designed to hold about 100 passengers, was overloaded with approximately 300 people when it overturned in the rural area of Mokwa.
The boat sank in the Niger River around 8:30 PM local time on Tuesday, according to Abdullahi Baba-Arah, the director general of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA). The passengers were reportedly returning from an Islamic religious festival, the Annual Maulud celebration, when the accident occurred.
Emergency responders and local volunteers swiftly initiated rescue operations, successfully saving about 150 individuals shortly after the incident. However, the ongoing search for more survivors continues, with officials expressing concerns about the likelihood of finding additional people alive.
As the day progressed, reports emerged of recovered bodies. Baba-Arah confirmed that nine bodies had been found, comprising two women and seven men. Furthermore, local news outlet Vanguard News indicated that the Council Chairman of Mokwa local government, Abdullahi Muregi, reported around 60 bodies recovered and at least 10 survivors.
This incident highlights ongoing issues with boat safety in Nigeria. Experts suggest that the rise in boat disasters is linked to regulatory failures and chronic overloading, with many vessels operating under unsafe conditions. Salihu Garba, director of relief and rehabilitation at the state emergency services, stated that the boat was clearly not designed for the number of passengers it carried, emphasizing that the vessel should not have held more than 100 people. The overcapacity ultimately led to the boat’s failure.
This capsizing marks the second significant boat disaster in Niger State in just 18 months. In a previous incident, over 100 individuals lost their lives when another boat sank. Such repeated tragedies have raised alarm among local and national authorities about the need for stricter regulations and better enforcement of safety standards for passenger boats.
As the NSEMA continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the latest tragedy, the focus remains on understanding the precise causes and preventing similar occurrences in the future. While immediate rescue efforts are underway, the community grapples with the heavy toll of the disaster, mourning the loss of life and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding those still missing. The scale of this incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for improved maritime safety measures in Nigeria, where many rely on boats for transportation despite the inherent risks involved.
