A boat accident along the Dambo-Ebuchi stretch of the River Niger in Niger State has claimed multiple lives, with over 200 passengers reportedly on board. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday as the vessel, owned by one Musa Dangana, capsized while en route to the Katcha weekly market.
The passengers, including market women and farm laborers, were thrown into the river when the boat overturned. Local divers have since commenced search and rescue operations, recovering eight bodies so far. Efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining passengers.
Eyewitnesses reported that none of the passengers were wearing life jackets, a factor believed to have contributed to the high number of casualties.
This tragedy follows a similar incident on October 1, 2024, on the Muwo Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area, where many lives were also lost.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the latest disaster, but an investigation is expected to uncover the cause of the accident. The incident highlights persistent safety concerns surrounding water transportation in the region.
