Niger boat accident wipes out family of 10, claims 25 lives

No fewer than 25 persons, including 10 members of a family, have been confirmed dead in a boat mishap in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident occurred around 2pm on Saturday when a boat carrying passengers from Guni in the Munya Local Government Area to a weekly market capsized after hitting a submerged tree log on the river.

The Sarkin Ruwa of Zumba, Umar Isah, who confirmed the development, said the victims were mostly traders heading to the popular market in Zumba.

He said a family lost 10 members to the accident, while another family reported five of its members missing.

“Although the boat operator could not state the exact number of passengers, we estimate that about 25 people lost their lives in the mishap. Many others are still missing and unaccounted for,” Mr Isah said.

According to him, the overcrowded wooden boat capsized midstream after it struck a tree trunk beneath the water’s surface.

The absence of life jackets and the lack of regulation for inland water transport have been blamed for the frequent loss of lives in the area.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident.

The agency’s Director of Information and Special Duties, Ibrahim Hussaini, said rescue operations were ongoing.

“We are in touch with local authorities and emergency volunteers who are involved in the rescue and recovery efforts. At the moment, the casualty figure stands at 25, but the number may increase as search operations continue,” Mr Hussaini said.

Credit: Premium Times