The death toll in the tragic Nigeria riverboat disaster has risen to 106, as rescue teams continue to search for survivors in the aftermath of one of the country’s deadliest waterway accidents in recent years. The incident occurred in north-central Kwara state, in the early hours of Monday morning when a boat carrying approximately 250 passengers, who were returning from a wedding ceremony, capsized. Local authorities and the police have attributed the accident to overloading, poor safety measures, and the heavy flooding experienced during the rainy season.
Of the victims, more than half hailed from the village of Ebu, with an additional 38 individuals from nearby Dzakan village. The impact of this tragedy has deeply affected the entire community, leaving loved ones, families, friends, and colleagues in a state of grief and shock. Mohammed Sallihu, a relative of one of the victims, expressed the profound sadness felt by everyone involved.
The Kwara State police revealed that a portion of the wooden vessel collapsed, causing water to enter the boat, leading to its subsequent capsizing. Despite efforts by passengers to seek assistance from individuals attending the nearby wedding, their pleas for help went unanswered, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 106 lives. On Tuesday, the death toll had been reported as 103, but the number tragically increased by three on Wednesday.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and pledged to improve safety measures for inland water transport. In a statement, he conveyed his deep sadness regarding the unfortunate boat accident, particularly due to the victims being guests at a wedding ceremony. The governor’s office of Kwara State confirmed that the victims had been returning from a wedding ceremony in Patigi district.
While river travel remains a popular form of transportation in Nigeria, accidents of this nature unfortunately occur with alarming frequency. Just last month, 15 children drowned, and two dozen others went missing when their overloaded boat capsized in Sokoto State while they were collecting firewood. Similarly, nearly a year ago, 29 children from a neighboring village drowned in the same river while on a firewood-gathering trip for their families.
The Nigerian waterways authority has previously attempted to impose regulations, including prohibiting nighttime sailing and forbidding vessel overloading, in an effort to prevent accidents. However, compliance with these regulations remains an ongoing challenge, with many boat crews disregarding the rules. The recent tragedy highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement and comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of those who rely on water transport in Nigeria.
