Rescue operations are ongoing in Sokoto state, northern Nigeria, as authorities search for approximately 25 passengers missing following a boat accident on Sunday. According to a local councillor, Aminu Bare, 25 individuals have been located alive. The boat, which was transporting over 50 people to a local market, capsized in the River Goronyo.
The National Emergency Management Agency (Nema) has announced that it is working alongside local authorities to intensify efforts to find those still unaccounted for. Boat accidents are a recurring issue in Nigeria, often attributed to overcrowding, poorly maintained boats, and insufficient enforcement of safety regulations.
Historical data indicates that Nigeria has faced similar incidents in the past. In December 2024, 54 bodies were recovered from the River Niger following the capsizing of a boat that may have carried over 200 passengers. Just a month prior to that incident, a wooden dugout canoe, which was overloaded with nearly 300 passengers, sank in the Niger River, resulting in nearly 200 fatalities.
Another notable incident occurred two years ago when over 100 individuals drowned in a boat accident in southwestern Nigeria. This vessel was carrying around 300 passengers returning from a wedding celebration in Kwara state to Niger state. While government regulations mandate that all passengers should wear life jackets, they are often unavailable, particularly in rural regions.
Investigating the consistent occurrences of such accidents raises questions about the effectiveness of current safety measures and regulations in place to protect passengers during boat travel in Nigeria.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzl0r5e7go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss