A tragic incident occurred on the Niger River, close to Dambo in Kogi State, where the river can exceed 600 meters in width. A Nigerian river ferry capsized on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 individuals, with many others reported missing, according to officials who spoke to AFP regarding the latest in a series of mass drownings on the nation’s heavily trafficked waterways. The incident took place at a location on the Niger River, near Dambo in Kogi State. Sandra Musa from the state emergency management agency noted, “It is uncertain how many individuals were aboard, as passenger records are typically not maintained.” Efforts for search and rescue are still underway to locate survivors and recover any bodies.
Musa confirmed that 27 bodies have been retrieved. Abubakar Abullahi, a spokesperson for the Kogi State Red Cross, indicated that the vessel was believed to have carried over 50 passengers.Local villagers and volunteers downstream have been advised to remain vigilant for any bodies that may surface.Musa remarked, “The cause of the accident remains unclear. It may have resulted from turbulence or the boat colliding with an obstruction. Typically, boat operators do not provide life jackets, and none of the recovered bodies were found wearing them.”She also mentioned that the age of the vessel could have contributed to the incident, as boats generally have a lifespan of five to ten years, yet some are in use for up to 20 years. “We will have a clearer understanding of the situation by tomorrow.”The office of Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo released a statement expressing sorrow over the fatalities and calling on private boat operators and local authorities to implement safety enhancements.
Ododo expressed particular concern regarding the fact that a majority of the victims were women, small-scale traders, and artisans engaged in legitimate business activities to support themselves and contribute to the state’s economy.The tragedy that occurred on Friday marks the most recent incident in a series of maritime disasters along this section of the Niger River, which flows from the northeastern border towards central Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. Last month, approximately 100 individuals were feared dead after a boat, carrying 300 passengers—many of whom were women and children—capsized while en route to a Muslim festival in Niger State.In September, an overloaded vessel sank while transporting over 50 farmers across the Gummi River in Zamfara State, with more than 40 individuals believed to have lost their lives.
