Tragedy struck in Gwajibo community, Niger State, on Tuesday evening when a heavily loaded boat carrying approximately 300 passengers capsized, resulting in a devastating loss of life. The boat was en route to Gwajibo from Mundi in Kwara State, where the passengers were headed for a Maulud Nabbiy celebration. As of now, 93 bodies have been recovered from the river, while the total death toll is feared to be as high as 169.
The survivors have offered differing accounts of the incident. Malam Ismail Ibrahim, one of the survivors, reported that the boat showed warning signs before the disaster. Ibrahim explained that the boat began taking in water after they noticed errors in how it was loaded. Efforts were made to remove water from the boat, but soon it became evident that something more dangerous was unfolding. The boat eventually sank, and Ibrahim credited his survival to using a jerrycan as a flotation device.
In contrast, other survivors, speaking through community leader Mohammed Tauheed, blamed the accident on a sudden windstorm that struck during a heavy downpour. According to Tauheed, the storm disoriented the boat, causing it to hit a submerged log before capsizing. Many survivors, still in shock, were unable to recall further details.
One of the most alarming aspects of the tragedy was the absence of lifejackets. Ibrahim stressed that no passengers were wearing lifejackets despite previous warnings from local authorities and the availability of jackets donated by the Kwara State government. He emphasized the importance of educating communities on the necessity of safety gear for water travel. Dantala Mohammed, who participated in the rescue operation, attributed the severity of the accident to overloading and night travel, which are against safety regulations.
Official Responses and Investigations
In response to the disaster, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed that 48 bodies have been buried in line with Islamic rites. The National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has also visited the community to assess the situation and determine the root causes. Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, managing director of N-HYPPADEC, reiterated that overloading and failure to use lifejackets were key contributors to the tragedy.
Call for Action
Local leaders, including the Ciroma of Kaiama, Abubakar Omar, have called on the government to provide safer transportation options such as ferries to reduce the risk of future accidents. The member representing Kaiama/Kemaji/Wajibe constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Dan-Baba, described the calamity as unprecedented and urged immediate action to prevent similar incidents.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, also expressed his condolences and called for an end to night boat travels and overloading, warning that such practices are major causes of fatal waterway accidents. Oyetola emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of water transportation codes and collaboration between state governments and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to ensure safer travel on Nigeria's inland waterways. While the community mourns the tragic loss of lives, stakeholders continue to press for greater awareness of water safety and stricter adherence to regulations to prevent future disasters.
