Niger State Boat Accident: 70 bodies found as rescue teams intensify efforts
Rescue teams are continuing to recover bodies from the Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State following the capsizing of a wooden boat carrying 300 passengers on the night of October 1, 2024.
As of last night, a joint operation involving the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Niger State National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and local divers has led to the recovery of 70 bodies and the rescue of 150 passengers from the Gbajibo River. Efforts are still underway to locate the remaining missing individuals.
Mrs. Sarat Braimah, the Lagos Area Manager of NIWA, criticized the boat operators for violating regulations by setting sail at 8:30 PM, which is prohibited under the water transportation code that bans night sailing. She clarified that NIWA is not at fault, as the four water marshals assigned to the area had completed their shifts and left the jetty by 8:00 PM, unaware that the ill-fated boat departed shortly after.
NIWA has pointed to multiple violations as contributing factors to the tragedy, including overloading—carrying 300 passengers—use of a substandard wooden vessel lacking navigational aids, absence of safety vests, and the violation of the night sailing ban. In response to the incident, Mrs. Braimah announced plans to increase the number of water marshals in Niger State and other northern regions where night sailing is common, ensuring round-the-clock surveillance.
Despite ongoing efforts to combat night sailing, Mrs. Braimah expressed concern about its persistence in the North, describing it as a significant challenge. NIWA has introduced a newly gazetted transportation code that imposes penalties for safety violations and is actively educating the public on these regulations.
In addition to enhancing enforcement, NIWA plans to deploy a modern ferry to Niger State, which is expected to be operational next week. They have also established training centers across the country to educate boat operators, especially in the North, where formal training is often lacking.
Mrs. Braimah further explained that NIWA sets standards for boat construction, licenses boat builders, and conducts annual inspections to ensure vessels are seaworthy. The authority collaborates with other agencies, including NEMA and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), to improve safety on the waterways.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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