A boat accident in Gunu village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, has claimed the lives of at least 25 people.
Gatekeepers News reports that the boat which was carrying traders and their goods to Kwata in the Zumba Market, capsized around 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.
Ibrahim Hussaini, Director of Information at the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), confirmed the incident.
He noted that while the exact number of victims is still uncertain due to ongoing rescue operations, early reports indicate that a minimum of 25 individuals including a family of ten may have drowned.
Some passengers, including the boat operator, were rescued, and one survivor is currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Kuta.
Search and rescue efforts are being carried out by NSEMA officers in partnership with local divers and volunteers.
The tragic event occurred just days after National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) launched a safety initiative titled “No Life Jacket, No Boarding”, aimed at reducing fatal accidents on waterways in riverine areas.
This marks yet another devastating incident in a series of boat mishaps in the state. In April, 37 people lost their lives in a similar accident on the River Niger.
