At least 13 people, including and children, have died in a tragic boat accident that occurred on Saturday in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. The ill-fated boat was conveying traders and goods to the Zumba market when it capsized near Kwata village at about 11:45 a.m.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident on Sunday. Its Director-General, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, revealed that 26 passengers were rescued, while several others remain unaccounted for as search and recovery operations continue.
“So far, we have recovered 13 bodies, and efforts are still ongoing to locate the remaining victims,” Arah stated during a media briefing in Minna, the state capital.
He disclosed that the deceased include eight women, three men, and two children. One of the survivors was treated at the General Hospital in Kuta and later discharged.
Preliminary reports suggest that overloading may have contributed to the accident, a persistent issue in water transportation within the area, especially on market days. Although the exact cause of the mishap is yet to be officially confirmed, both NSEMA and local witnesses suspect disregard for safety protocols.
Local divers and community volunteers are assisting emergency responders in the ongoing rescue operation. According to NSEMA, the boat was carrying 39 passengers at the time of the incident.
Despite previous government efforts to distribute life jackets to boat operators—through agencies such as the Niger State government, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC)—the use and enforcement of safety measures remain poor.
“We are committed to determining the root cause of this tragedy, and villagers are cooperating with our team to recover the remaining victims,” Arah added.
The incident once again highlights the urgent need for strict enforcement of water safety regulations and improved oversight of inland water transport operations across riverine communities in Niger State and beyond.