At least 26 people have lost their lives in a boat accident on the Niger River in north-central Nigeria, an official confirmed on Wednesday.
The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday in the Ibaji area of Kogi State. According to Kingsley Fanwo, the state commissioner for information, most of the passengers were traders on their way to a market in neighboring Edo State.
The exact cause of the accident has not yet been determined. “This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ibaji local government area, in this moment of grief,” Fanwo said in a statement.
He added that the Kogi state government will partner with federal agencies to strengthen waterway safety and prevent such disasters from happening again.
Boat accidents remain common in Nigeria during the rainy season, especially in remote communities. They are often caused by overloading, poorly maintained vessels, and the lack of life jackets.
Just last month, at least 31 people were killed when an overloaded boat struck a tree trunk in the Borgu area of Niger State.
