At least 60 people have died and dozens more have been rescued following the capsizing of a passenger boat in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, local officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The vessel, carrying over 100 passengers, departed from Tungan Sule in the Malale district around 11 a.m. local time, en route to Dugga town on the Kainji Reservoir, before the accident occurred.
Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi, reported that he arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and that 31 bodies were initially recovered from the river. By Tuesday evening, the number of bodies recovered had risen to over 60, while dozens of survivors were pulled from the water. Women and children comprised the majority of the victims, with four buried the same day in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
The exact cause of the accident remains unclear, though locals suggested the boat was overloaded and may have struggled against strong currents. Passengers included farmers and traders traveling to Dugga for market activities. Overcrowding and inadequate safety measures, such as the lack of life jackets, contributed to the high casualty rate. Survivors recounted that the boat began to sway shortly after departure, and panic ensued when it suddenly tilted, causing water to rush in. Villagers attempted rescue using canoes, but many had already drowned by the time help arrived.
Boat transport is common in Nigeria’s riverine areas, especially where road infrastructure is limited. However, vessels are often poorly maintained and overcrowded, with boats designed for 50 to 60 passengers sometimes carrying over 100 people along with goods and livestock, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
Similar tragedies have occurred in recent years across the country, including incidents in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Anambra states, claiming dozens to over a hundred lives. In May 2021, over 100 people died in a boat accident in Kebbi State, while another incident in Anambra last year claimed at least 70 lives.
Local authorities and emergency teams are continuing search and rescue operations, though limited resources have slowed the process. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed ongoing efforts to account for all passengers and appealed for additional boats and divers to aid recovery. Communities along the Kainji Reservoir have also been urged to assist in locating missing persons who may have been swept downstream.
The state government expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, promising to investigate the cause of the accident and to enforce stricter regulations on boat operators to prevent future disasters. Families of the victims, many of whom relied on farming and petty trade, have suffered significant losses, with some households losing multiple members.
Community leaders, activists, and rights groups have renewed calls for stricter oversight of river transport, including adherence to passenger limits and provision of life jackets. Experts have also highlighted the need to improve rural infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, to reduce dependence on risky boat travel.
Efforts continue to recover the remaining bodies and provide support to survivors and families, underscoring the dangers faced by rural communities that rely heavily on water transport in the absence of safer alternatives.
