Again, 8 Dead, Over 200 Passengers Missing As Boat Capsizes On River Niger

Tragedy has struck again on the River Niger as a boat carrying more than 200 passengers capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the river on Friday morning.

The ill-fated boat was said to be conveying traders and farmers heading to Katcha for the weekly market when the incident occurred.

Local divers have swung into action to rescue survivors, with eight bodies reportedly recovered as of the time of filing this report.

Speaking on the incident, Ibrahim Hussaini, the spokesperson of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, stated that he was yet to receive a full briefing but assured that investigations into the tragedy were ongoing.

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The unfortunate incident comes less than two months after a similar boat accident claimed 42 lives in the Gbajibo community of Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State.

Another boat mishap occurred on October 1, where over 200 passengers were involved, with 150 reportedly rescued.

Eyewitnesses at the scene of Friday’s accident revealed that the overloaded boat was caught in strong currents, leading to its capsizing.

The exact number of casualties remains uncertain, as many passengers are still unaccounted for.

Residents have lamented the frequency of boat accidents on the River Niger, calling on the government to enforce safety measures and provide proper oversight for water transportation in the area.