Tragedy strikes as boat carrying 200 passengers capsizes in Niger State

In the early hours of Friday, a boat carrying over 200 passengers capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi stretch of the River Niger, leading to multiple fatalities.

Eyewitnesses report that the vessel, owned by Musa Dangana, was en route to the Katcha weekly market in Niger State with market women and farm laborers on board.

Rescue teams and local divers have recovered eight bodies so far, with efforts ongoing to locate the remaining passengers. Initial reports suggest the absence of life jackets contributed to the high casualty rate.

This incident echoes a similar tragedy on October 1, 2024, when a boat accident on the Muwo Gbajibo River in Mokwa, Niger State, claimed several lives.

Despite efforts by Nigeria’s waterways authority to curb overloading and ban night travel on rivers, such regulations are often ignored, leading to recurring tragedies. An investigation into the latest incident is expected as authorities work to prevent future occurrences.