Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has called for strict enforcement of life jacket use on the nation’s waterways, as a critical measure to prevent further loss of lives in recurring boat accidents.
Gatekeepers News reports that in an interview with Channels Television published on Saturday, Abdullahi Babanya, the bureau’s Director of Transport Investigation, pointed to the recent boat accident in Shiroro, Niger State, as an example.
According to Babanya, the boat was carrying 39 passengers, including a child, yet only seven wore life jackets and all seven survived.
He said, “So, what does this say? It says that some small but important steps need to be taken, just ensure that all those people boarding those boats wear safety jackets, those personal flotation devices.”
“In the event of an accident, they will be able to remain alive and stay on the surface of the water until rescue comes.”
“We can investigate air accidents. Since the inception of this administration, the director general has embarked on a multi-faceted and multi-pronged approach to improving our capacity and capability in investigating those other new modes that have been added to our mandate.”
The director confirmed that 13 people lost their lives in the Shiroro mishap, adding that the NSIB first learned of the tragedy via social media.
The agency’s initial findings revealed that the boat capsized while crossing the river, highlighting ongoing safety lapses in water transport.
Babanya also spoke about the broader efforts of the NSIB under its current leadership, noting that the bureau is expanding its investigative capacity beyond aviation to include road, rail, and marine transport.
He noted that new personnel would be onboard by September, followed by specialised training aligned with global best practices.
