National Inland Waterways Authority Confirms Boat Tragedy with Over 200 Passengers on River Niger in Kogi
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed a boat accident involving over 200 market women from Kogi State. The incident occurred while the women were traveling on a boat to a market in Niger State when it capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger.
Suleman Makama, NIWA’s Head of the Media Department, confirmed the accident on Friday, stating that the exact number of casualties has yet to be determined as investigations are ongoing.
Eyewitnesses reported that the boat, owned by Musa Dangana, was carrying more than 200 passengers, including market women and farm laborers, en route to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State. As of the latest update, eight bodies have been recovered, and search and rescue operations are still underway to find the remaining passengers. NIWA’s Makama also mentioned that a more detailed official statement would be issued once the management has provided clearance.
The Managing Director of NIWA, Mr. Bola Oyebanji, has previously highlighted human error, drug abuse, and non-compliance with safety regulations as primary causes of boat accidents. During a recent oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on NIWA, Oyebanji pointed out that most accidents result from preventable mistakes made by boat operators, often exacerbated by the use of drugs that impair their judgment. He also stressed the importance of adhering to safety guidelines, such as not exceeding the passenger capacity of boats.
In his statement, Oyebanji criticized the practice of overcrowding boats, specifically highlighting the dangers of using wooden boats that carry over 150 passengers—far exceeding their designed capacity. He reiterated NIWA’s commitment to improving safety on the waterways and emphasized the need for stricter compliance with the newly implemented transportation code, which includes ensuring that all passengers are provided with life jackets.
