The death toll from the tragic boat accident involving approximately 200 traders on the River Niger in Kogi State has risen to 54, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Justin Uwazuruonye, NEMA’s Head of Operations in Kogi State, confirmed the figures on Saturday, citing ongoing recovery efforts by the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, the Red Cross, and NEMA.
“We have recovered 54 bodies so far, but the exact number of passengers remains uncertain due to the absence of a manifest. This, coupled with the fact that it was a night journey and passengers lacked life jackets, complicates our assessment,” Uwazuruonye explained.
The tragedy occurred along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger as traders were traveling to a market in Niger State. Suleman Makama, Head of Media for the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), confirmed the incident, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures on waterways.
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, expressed deep sorrow over the accident, noting that most of the victims were women and petty traders pursuing legitimate livelihoods.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismail Isah, Ododo called for urgent inter-agency collaboration to address the growing dangers on waterways linking Kogi and Niger States.
“The rising frequency of boat accidents on this waterway is alarming. Relevant authorities must implement stricter safety measures to minimize risks and improve emergency response coordination,” Ododo said.
The governor also assured support for survivors, pledging government assistance for their recovery and reiterating his commitment to ensuring safer water transportation for residents.
The incident underscores the critical need for reforms in Nigeria’s water transport sector, including mandatory use of life jackets and enforcement of passenger manifests, to prevent future tragedies.
