Boat Mishaps: Over 500 Feared Dead In 2 Years – Investigations
- As More Nigerians Die Daily On Weak Boats, Less Regulated Waterways
- NIWA Bans Unlicensed Boats To Enhance Waterway Safety
No fewer than 500 Nigerians have died, while numerous others were hospitalised due to accidents on the nation’s waterways, investigations by OSUN DEFENDER have revealed.
Findings by OSUN DEFENDER indicate that in the last two years, citizens, mostly farmers, women and children have lost their lives as a result of the boat mishaps.
Between June 2023 and September 2025, a sizable number of people lost their lives in water-related incidents, raising concerns about the safety of the country’s water transportation sector.
The Incidents
On September 14, 2024, 41 people, mostly farmers, died when a boat capsized at the Mashayar Dantauri riverbank in the Gummi town of Zamfara State.
The same week, another boat capsized in a river in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara State with at least four people reportedly dead in that accident. According to reports, the boat was carrying 50 people, far above its capacity, when it capsized.
On September 9, 2024, 15 people died when a boat carrying 23 passengers capsized in Njuwa Lake in Yola South Local Government of Adamawa State. According to eyewitness accounts, the boat capsized due to a windstorm.
Earlier, on September 4 of the same year, a canoe travelling between Mayo-Ine and Mayo Balewa in Bauchi State capsized, killing two passengers.
In Kano, officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the deaths of five people who drowned after a watercraft carrying 22 passengers capsized in the Baban Kogi River within the Kauran Mata community in Madobi Local Government Area of Kano State. The accident reportedly happened on 21 August 2024, with most passengers being farmers.
In May, two students of Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Makoda, drowned in the Thomas Dam in Kano while trying to cross the dam in a boat. A third colleague was rescued.
In October 2024, about 32 people were reportedly on board when two boats collided in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State. Twenty people were later rescued, while three bodies were pulled from the water. The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) later announced the arrest of the manager of the “Only God Marine” ferry, one of the boats involved in the accident, for negligence.
In one of the ugliest incidents, 285 wedding guests boarded a ferry with a 200-person capacity to return home after a wedding in Niger State. According to media reports, the boat capsized, and only 91 people were recovered from the tragic accident.
In June 2023, over 100 people died in Kwara State under similar circumstances, with the tragedy blamed on overcrowding and poorly maintained boats.
Just recently, on September 9, 10 and 11, 2025, 41 people died from boat mishap incidents in Njuwa lake in Yola, Adamawa State, Mokwa of Niger State and in Gurin, Fufore area of Adamawa State.
While many of these statistics are based on reported cases, OSUN DEFENDER has learned that most boat accidents are underreported, with unconfirmed numbers rising above 10,000 people.
The 2022 Recreational Boating Statistics report, published by the United States Coast Guard (USCG), shows that, of the 636 deaths from boat accidents in the US in 2022 where the cause of death was known, 75 per cent of the victims drowned. Where life jacket use or non-use was known, 85 per cent of those drowning victims were not wearing life jackets.
- Analyst Reacts
Commenting on the trend, a public affairs analyst, Mr Daniel Babaranti, called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on boat mishaps in the country.
Babaranti, who commiserated with the families of the dead, called for a holistic review of the trend.
“It is sad that every day, many people die on our waters. It speaks to three things. One, the ineffectiveness of the authorities, the non-provision of life jackets, and the non-regulation of the waterways.
“I think it is time for the government, through NIWA, to look inward and proffer solutions. The current MD of the agency seems to be busier with his governorship ambition than with what works for Nigerians.
“All hands should be on deck. The authorities must come to the aid of the people. The people should also not continue to risk their lives by going on unlicensed and rickety boats. We must all come together to end these deaths,” he said.
- NIWA Bans Unlicensed Boats To Enhance Waterway Safety
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has imposed an immediate ban on loading activities at unauthorised points nationwide to reduce boat accidents and enhance safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways.
The Managing Director of NIWA, Bola Oyebamiji, during a press briefing, said, “NIWA has placed an immediate ban on loading activities from all unauthorised loading points across the country. No commercial passenger boat shall be allowed to load from any point other than those recognised and registered by NIWA.
“It is mandatory for all commercial boat operators to provide and enforce the use of lifejackets on the boats always. Every commercial passenger boat must properly display its Boat Name Letters and Load line.”
Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.
