Rescue teams have recovered 70 bodies from the Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State following a tragic boat accident on Tuesday night.
The wooden boat, carrying 300 passengers, capsized, leaving many missing. Officials from the National Inland Waterways Authority, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency, and local divers have rescued 150 people so far, while the search continues for others still unaccounted for.
President Bola Tinubu expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Niger State.
He directed NIWA to investigate and address the rising number of boat accidents in the country.
“NIWA must expand its surveillance to ensure people’s safety and prosecute those who violate the ban on night sailing,” Tinubu said in a statement through his Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga. He also praised emergency workers and local divers for their efforts in rescuing passengers.
The Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, Mrs. Sarat Braimah, stated that the boat was operating illegally by sailing at night, which violates Nigeria’s water transportation code.
“The operators ignored safety rules, including overloading and using a sub-standard wooden boat without safety vests or navigational aids,” she explained. She emphasized that night sailing is banned, yet it remains a persistent issue. “NIWA will now implement 24-hour surveillance in the area to prevent similar tragedies,” Braimah added.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago also expressed sadness over the incident and promised stricter enforcement of water transportation laws.
“The recurring cases of boat mishaps are troubling. The government will work harder to ensure strict safety compliance to prevent further loss of life and property,” he said in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.
Bago extended his sympathies to the families affected by the tragedy and wished for the quick recovery of those injured.
