At least 27 people died and more than 100, mostly women, were missing on Friday, after a boat transporting them to a food market capsized along the River Niger in northern Nigeria, authorities said.
About 200 passengers were on the boat that was going from the state of Kogi to neighboring state of Niger when it capsized, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency spokesman Ibrahim Audu told The Associated Press.
Rescues managed to pull 27 bodies from the river by Friday evening while local divers were still searching for others, according to Sandra Musa, spokeswoman for the Kogi state emergency services.
No survivor was found about 12 hours after the incident occurred, she added.
Authorities have not confirmed what caused the sinking but local media suggested the boat may have been overloaded. Overcrowding on boats is common in remote parts of Nigeria where the lack of good roads leaves many with no alternative routes.
According to Justin Uwazuruonye, who is in charge of Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency operations in the state, rescuers had trouble finding the location of the capsizing for hours after Friday’s tragedy struck.
Such deadly incidents are increasingly becoming a source of concern in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, as authorities struggle to enforce safety measures and regulations for water transportation.
Most of the accidents have been attributed to overcrowding and the lack of maintenance of the boats, often built locally to accommodate as many passengers as possible in defiance of safety measures.
Also, authorities have not been able to enforce the use of life jackets on such trips, often because of lack of availability or cost.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER NOW
Support MATAZ ARISING’ journalism of integrity and credibility.
Good journalism ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.
We ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.
TEXT AD: To advertise here – Email ad@matazarising.com
Special Report: Disquiet As Nigeria’s Inspector-General Egbetokun Appoints Notorious Rights Abuser, DCP Akin Fakorede To Head IGP
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Some inquiries into his activities including panels that investigated police brutality in Nigeria also indicted Fakorede, and even recommended his sacking or demotion. The recent appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Akin Fakorede by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to head the IGP Monitoring Unit has raised concerns due to…
Banditry: Desperate Politicians Envious of Tinubu, Aiding Banditry In North West – Group
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas ABUJA – Some supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the north, have said the incessant banditry attacks in the north west region could be traced to some “desperate politicians” who are bent on frustrating the administration of the President. Coming under the aegis of Asiwaju Social Network (ASoN), North West Zone, the…
Badenoch stands by Nigeria comments after criticism; she could ‘remove’ the Kemi from her name – VP Shettima
MaTaZ ArIsInGDallas, Texas Kemi Badenoch has stood by her past comments about Nigeria, after the vice-president of the West African country accused her of denigrating it. The Conservative Party leader, who was born in the UK but mostly raised in Nigeria, has repeatedly described growing up in fear and insecurity in a country plagued by…
