Eight killed, over 200 missing as boat capsizes in Niger State

At least eight people have been confirmed dead in Niger State, Northern Nigeria, following a boat accident in the early hours of Friday along the Dambo-Ebuchi sections of River Niger.

Eyewitnesses say the boat, belonging to one Musa Dangana, was carrying over 200 passengers, including market women and farm labourers, on their way to the Katcha weekly market when it capsized.

The tragedy threw everyone on board into the water.

Diaspora Digital Media understands that local divers have been working tirelessly to recover the bodies of the victims, with eight bodies recovered so far.

Search and rescue operations continue as authorities strive to locate the remaining passengers.

This disaster follows a similar boat accident on the Muwo Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area on October 1, 2024, which also resulted in many fatalities.

Preliminary reports suggest that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets, a factor that likely contributed to the high death toll.

Authorities have not yet issued an official statement, but an investigation is expected.

Ibrahim Hussaini, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) spokesperson, could not confirm the incident.

He added that the agency’s representative in the area had been contacted to confirm the report.

Analysing boat mishaps in Nigeria 

Boat mishaps have become a recurring decimal in Nigeria, resulting in the loss of countless lives and property.

The country’s extensive waterways, including rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, are plagued by a combination of human error, inadequate safety measures, and poor regulation.

Many of the boat mishaps in Nigeria can be attributed to overcrowding, with many operators ignoring safety guidelines to maximize profits.

This often results in boats being overloaded with passengers and cargo, making them unstable and prone to capsizing.

Additionally, many of the boats operating in Nigeria’s waterways are old and poorly maintained, with inadequate safety equipment and life-saving appliances.

The lack of effective regulation and enforcement by relevant authorities has also contributed to the high incidence of boat mishaps in Nigeria.

Many boat operators flout safety regulations with impunity, knowing that the chances of being caught and punished are slim.

This has created a culture of impunity, where safety is sacrificed for the sake of profit.

Furthermore, the absence of a comprehensive emergency response plan in the event of a boat mishap has exacerbated the problem.

When accidents occur, rescue efforts are often hampered by a lack of resources, including boats, life jackets, and medical supplies.

This can result in a higher number of casualties than would otherwise be the case.

Some of the most notable boat mishaps in Nigeria include the 2012 boat accident on the Niger River, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 people.

In 2015, a boat carrying over 80 passengers capsized on the Benue River, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 people.

More recently, in 2020, a boat accident on the Lagos Lagoon resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people.

These incidents highlight the urgent need for the Nigerian government to take decisive action to address the problem of boat mishaps in the country.

This can be achieved through a combination of measures, including the enforcement of safety regulations, the provision of safety equipment and life-saving appliances, and the establishment of a comprehensive emergency response plan.

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