At least 100 people, mostly women, are missing after a boat transporting them to a food market capsized on the River Niger in northern Nigeria, authorities reported on Friday.
The boat was travelling from Kogi state to neighbouring Niger state early on Friday morning when the incident occurred, according to Ibrahim Audu, a spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.
Local media reported that at least eight people were confirmed dead at the scene, with local divers working to rescue others. Eyewitness accounts cited by Channels Television suggested the boat was carrying over 200 passengers, raising concerns that it may have been overloaded. Overcrowding is a common issue in Nigeria’s remote areas, where poor road infrastructure often leaves water transport as the only option.
The exact cause of the capsizing has not yet been confirmed. Officials in Kogi state are still trying to locate the precise location of the accident and are seeking assistance from other agencies, said Justin Uwazuruonye, who heads the National Emergency Management Agency’s operations in the state.
Such tragedies are an increasing concern in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, where authorities struggle to enforce safety regulations for water transportation.
“Overcrowding and lack of boat maintenance are major causes of these accidents,” local officials have noted. Many boats, often constructed locally, are designed to carry as many passengers as possible, frequently at the expense of safety.
Another critical issue is the lack of life jackets, which authorities have been unable to enforce due to cost or unavailability. As a result, passengers undertaking such journeys are left exposed to significant risks in the event of accidents.
