5 bodies recovered, many missing as boat capsizes in Niger

A passenger boat carrying over 100 people collapsed in Niger State’s Borgu Local Government Area, leaving scores of passengers missing.

Mallam Musa Said, Disaster Officer for Borgu LGA in the state, said that five dead had been recovered as of the time of reporting this report, and that search and rescue activities were still ongoing.

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Abdullahi Baba Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, acknowledged the tragedy to our correspondent, but said the number of deaths and survivors had yet to be determined.

He stated that the boat left Dugga Mashaya in Dugga Ward, Borgu LGA, bound for Wara Market in Kebbi State, carrying approximately a hundred passengers and cargo such as wheat and sugar cane.

Arah stated, “NASEMA has received a report of a boat disaster that occurred in Borgu LGA. The incident occurred on Monday, January 15, 2024, at around 2:05pm. “There is currently no definite information about deaths or survivors. Meanwhile, local divers, NSEMA desk officers, and local government officials continue to conduct search and rescue efforts. Updates will be sent as they are received.

However, unsubstantiated sources attributed the disaster to river waves and overcrowding.

In recent months, Niger State has seen a number of watercraft catastrophes that have taken multiple lives.

The most recent incidence occurred in November 2023 in Shiroro LGA, where no fewer than ten people died.