At least 14 passengers have been confirmed dead, 24 rescued, while 42 others remain unaccounted for after a boat capsized on the River Niger in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, noting that the mishap occurred on Tuesday evening when the vessel, carrying about 80 people, was traveling from Onugwa community to Olushi village.
NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who activated the agency’s Abuja Operations Office to support local responders, described the tragedy as “deeply painful.”
“Search and Rescue operations commenced swiftly, leading to the rescue of 24 passengers alive. Sadly, 14 corpses have so far been recovered, while 42 persons remain missing as efforts to locate and recover them continue,” Umar said.
Community divers are said to be working alongside rescue teams from the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Fire Service, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and other local stakeholders.
Head of NEMA’s Abuja office, Mr. Zakari Abubakar, who visited the Onugwa traditional ruler, Chief Patrick Arome, said: “This joint effort underscores the importance of multi-agency collaboration in tackling disasters and ensuring timely response.”
The agency stressed the urgent need for water transport operators to comply with safety regulations, particularly the use of life jackets and strict enforcement of passenger limits.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the government and people of Kogi State. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the accident as “shocking and unfortunate.”
“The President commends the first responders at the accident scene and urges federal, state, and local emergency responders to step up their efforts to provide needed assistance to survivors and victims,” the statement read.
He further appealed to boat operators to prioritise safety over profit and prayed for comfort for the bereaved families and quick recovery for those injured.
