THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 24 passengers were rescued from yesterday tragic boat accident on the River Niger in Kogi State, while 42 remain missing as search and rescue operations intensify.
The ill-fated boat, which carried about 80 passengers, left Onugwa community in Ibaji Local Government Area and was heading to Olushi village when it capsized. So far, emergency teams have recovered 14 bodies.
Local divers have joined forces with official responders, including NEMA, the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), the Red Cross, Civil Defence, and the Fire Service, to aid the rescue mission.
NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, also activated the Abuja Operations Office to bolster the operation, while the Head of the Abuja office, Zakari Abubakar, visited Onugwa’s traditional ruler to express condolences.
Today, the Kogi State Government confirmed that at least 26 passengers had died in the accident.
Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, described the incident as “a heartbreaking loss,” adding that Governor Usman Ododo had directed state agencies to support victims’ families and strengthen safety measures on waterways.
“The Government of Kogi State stands with the people of Ibaji LGA in this moment of grief,” the statement read.
Both NEMA and the state government have emphasized the urgent need for strict adherence to safety guidelines, urging riverine communities to avoid overloading boats and to ensure the use of life jackets during travel.
This tragedy follows a string of recent fatal boat accidents across Nigeria, sparking renewed concern over safety enforcement and regulation on the nation’s waterways.