27 Dead as Boat capsizes on Kainji Lake in Niger State

At least 27 people have been confirmed dead after a wooden boat carrying 138 passengers capsized on Kainji Lake in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday around 11:49 a.m. along the Shagunu–Dunga axis. Rescue teams from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) arrived at 1:33 p.m., recovering eight bodies on Monday and 19 more on Tuesday.

According to NIWA’s Niger-Kwara Area Manager, Akapo Adeboye, 46 men, 58 women, and several children were rescued, with many wearing life jackets. The ill-fated boat has since been removed, while rescue efforts continue.

The operation involved NIWA officials, River Marshalls, security agencies, and community leaders, who pledged to strengthen water safety measures.

Local residents described the incident as one of the worst in recent years, citing overloading and poor enforcement of safety regulations as recurring causes of such tragedies.

Many of the victims were reportedly traders heading to local markets.

Community leaders have called for stricter enforcement of passenger limits, regular safety drills, and awareness campaigns, stressing the need for life jackets in riverine communities.

NIWA officials confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine if negligence or non-compliance with safety rules contributed to the accident, adding that more patrols will be deployed to waterways in Niger and Kwara States.

Maritime experts have urged both federal and state governments to invest in modern ferries and tighten regulation of wooden boats, warning that without urgent intervention, such disasters will continue to claim lives.

The incident adds to a string of boat accidents across Nigeria in recent months, including fatal cases in Sokoto, Jigawa, and Niger States.