Niger Boat Tragedy: 13 Bodies Recovered, More Passengers Still Missing After Shiroro River Mishap
Story Written by Daniel okafor (July 27, 2025)
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed the recovery of 13 bodies following a tragic boat accident that occurred on Saturday in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The ill-fated boat was en route to the weekly Zumba market from Kwata when it capsized around 11:45 a.m. The vessel, which was overloaded with passengers and goods, overturned in the middle of the river, plunging many into the water.
Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, Director General of NSEMA, disclosed the updated death toll in a statement released through the agency’s Director of Information and Special Duties, Dr. Ibrahim Hussaini.
Preliminary reports indicate that a few passengers, including the boat operator, were rescued shortly after the incident and received treatment at the General Hospital in Kuta. They have since been discharged.
As of Sunday morning, rescue and recovery efforts were still ongoing. NSEMA officials, alongside local divers and community volunteers, continue to search for more missing passengers. The exact number of people on board and those still unaccounted for remains unknown.
This incident has once again raised concerns over safety compliance on Nigeria’s inland waterways. Despite earlier interventions by the Niger State Government—alongside agencies like the National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA)—which included the distribution of life jackets to riverine communities, usage has remained low.
Authorities blame the high casualty rates in recurring boat mishaps on the refusal of many operators and passengers to use the life-saving gear, despite strict enforcement measures in place.
Search and rescue operations are expected to continue until all missing persons are accounted for.Written by SpringnewsNG Media Limited, July 27, 2025.
