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26 killed in boat accident on Nigeria’s Niger River
A tragic boat accident on the Niger River in north-central Nigeria has claimed the lives of at least 26 people, according to an official statement on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Ibaji area of Kogi State. Most of the victims were traders traveling to a market in nearby Edo State, said Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi State's Commissioner for Information.
The exact cause of the accident remains unclear.
Fanwo described the event as a “heartbreaking loss” and extended condolences to the victims’ families and the Ibaji community. He emphasized that the state government would collaborate with federal agencies to enhance waterway safety and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Boat accidents are frequent during Nigeria’s rainy season, particularly in remote regions. Many of these incidents are linked to overcrowded or poorly maintained boats, which often lack life jackets and operate without adequate safety measures, reports UNB.
Just last month, at least 31 people died when an overloaded boat struck a tree trunk in the Borgu area of Niger State.