MANY FEARED DEAD AS BOAT CAPSIZES IN NIGER STATE'S SHIRORO LGA

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Tragedy struck in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday as a boat ferrying an unknown number of passengers and goods to Kwata Zumba Market capsized mid-river, leaving many feared dead.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday by its Director of Information and Special Duties, Ibrahim Hussaini. He said that while the exact number of casualties remained unknown, search and rescue efforts were ongoing.

“A boat loaded with commodities and an unknown number of passengers heading to Kwata Zumba Market capsized along the route,” the statement read. Hussaini added that the boat operator and a few passengers were rescued, with one victim currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Kuta.

Rescue operations are being carried out by NSEMA desk officers in collaboration with local divers and volunteers.

This latest mishap adds to a growing list of deadly river accidents across Nigeria, especially during the rainy season. In November 2024, at least 27 people died after a boat carrying about 200 passengers capsized on the Niger River while traveling from Kogi State to Niger State. Just a month earlier, another vessel carrying over 300 passengers overturned, leading to dozens of deaths.

Such incidents have become alarmingly frequent, with boat travel often preferred due to poor road infrastructure and insecurity on major highways.

Despite regulations by the National Inland Waterways Authority banning night-time sailing and criminalising overloading, enforcement remains weak. Many boat operators continue to flout safety rules, putting countless lives at risk.

The Niger River, West Africa’s major waterway, remains a vital trade route but is increasingly becoming a scene of repeated tragedies.