President Bola Tinubu has directed an investigation into the recent boat accidents in Niger State, which have claimed many lives.
The latest tragedy occurred on Tuesday night when a boat carrying over 300 passengers, mostly women and children, capsized in the Mokwa district, killing at least 60 people.
The locally made wooden boat, designed to carry 100 passengers, was overloaded with about 300 people, according to an emergency official. Many victims were killed when the boat overturned, while several others are still missing. Local divers and emergency workers have been working tirelessly to rescue survivors and recover bodies.
In response to the tragic event, President Tinubu expressed his deep sorrow and extended his condolences to the families of the victims and the Niger State government.
“President Tinubu commiserates with the families of the victims and prays for the repose of the souls of the dead,” read a statement from his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
To address the frequent boat accidents in the region, President Tinubu has directed the National Inland Waterways Authority to investigate the causes and find ways to prevent future incidents.
“The President directs NIWA to investigate the spate of boat accidents in Niger State and across the country and devise modalities to check the trend,” the statement continued.
He also urged NIWA to expand its surveillance of inland waters, ensure the safety of passengers, and prosecute boat operators who violate regulations, such as the ban on night sailing.
President Tinubu thanked the emergency workers and local divers for their efforts in rescuing passengers and recovering the victims’ bodies. He emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations on Nigeria’s waterways to prevent further tragedies.
