At least 27 people have lost their lives in a boat accident that occurred on Tuesday along the Malale–Kainji Lake route in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Eyewitnesses said the tragedy happened around 11:49 a.m. near Gausawa, while rescue teams from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) arrived at the scene at about 1:33 p.m.
The ill-fated wooden boat was reportedly carrying 138 passengers when it capsized along the Shagunu–Dunga axis of Kainji Lake. NIWA confirmed that 46 men, 58 women, and several children were rescued, many of them aided by life jackets.
“So far, 27 bodies have been recovered — eight on Monday and 19 on Tuesday,” said Akapo Adeboye, Manager of the NIWA Niger-Kwara Area Office, adding that the sunken boat has since been removed.
The rescue operation was coordinated by the NIWA New Bussa Substation with support from NIWA River Marshalls, the Nigerian Shipowners Forum on Waterways (NIGSBOFWA), security agencies, and community leaders. Authorities say the collaboration is vital in improving passenger safety and preventing future tragedies.
Local leaders and boat operators in the area have pledged to work with NIWA to strengthen water safety measures.
The accident adds to a troubling rise in boat mishaps across Nigeria. In August, more than 40 people went missing after a boat capsized in Sokoto State, while several fatal incidents were also recorded in Jigawa and Niger states over the past year.
