Several passengers, including a 22-year-old pregnant woman identified as Aisha Maiwada, were reported to have died in separate boat accidents in Niger and Taraba states between Friday and Saturday.
In Niger State, numerous passengers were said to have drowned on Saturday when a wooden boat capsized on River Shiroro. The vessel, which was heading to the popular Zumba Saturday market from Guni—a riverside community in Munya Local Government Area—was reportedly overloaded with passengers and goods.
Eyewitnesses told journalists that the boat struck a submerged tree stump, causing it to split into two and hurl all onboard into the river.
“As soon as it hit the tree stump, it just broke apart. There were many women and children,” an eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said.
The incident occurred just days after the National Inland Waterways Authority inaugurated a safety awareness campaign tagged “No Life Jacket, No Boarding” across riverine communities in the state.
When contacted, spokesman of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Hussaine Ibrahim, confirmed the incident and said rescue teams had been deployed.
“We have sent our men to the place for over one hour now but you know it’s very far. As soon as we get anything, I will reach you,” he said.
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In Taraba State, three people — including a pregnant woman — were confirmed dead after a boat transporting vehicles and passengers across River Namnai in Gassol Local Government Area capsized on Friday evening.
Reports indicated that the boat was navigating a portion of the Jalingo–Wukari highway where the Namnai Bridge had collapsed back in August 2023.
The deceased were identified as Aisha Rilwanu Maiwada, Baraatu Bala Yaroji, and Yusuf Badawi Bala.
Confirming the incident in separate interviews, the Chairman of Gassol Local Government Council, Abubakar Sadique, and the state Chairman of Inland Water Transporters, Jidda Mayoreniyo, said that rescue efforts were still ongoing.
When a correspondent visited the site on Saturday, four vehicles and several personal belongings were still submerged, while onlookers observed divers engaged in search and recovery operations.
One of the affected drivers, Mallam Abdul Kaifa, told reporters that this was the second time his vehicle had sunk in the river since the bridge collapse.