- Between 2023 and 2024, over 700 Nigerians lost their lives in different boat accidents across the country; most of the mishaps happened in the Middle Belt and northern part of the country, where many rural dwellers rely heavily on boats not only for movement from one place to another but also for commerce and trade
Travelling by boat is increasingly becoming a perilous activity in Nigeria. Boat mishaps are now a recurring theme in the country as accidents on our waterways now happen with troubling frequency.
Between 2023 and 2024, over 700 Nigerians lost their lives in different boat accidents across the country; most of the mishaps happened in the Middle Belt and northern part of the country, where many rural dwellers rely heavily on boats not only for movement from one place to another but also for commerce and trade.
The tranquil and soothing waters that were once the symbol of peace, hope and prospect have become a terrifying pathway of grief and uncertainty.
In this article, we’ll look at recent boat mishaps in the country, the costs and why the nation’s waterway has become a death trap and what the government must do address the disturbing trend.
According to Humangle, no fewer than 452 people have died from boat mishaps across various waterways in Nigeria. From July to Dec. 2024 alone, incidents were recorded in Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and Bayelsa States.
Nigeria’s waterways are estimated to be about 10,000 km, with over 3,000 km of navigable waterways. These waterways connect the country with five neighbouring states and provide access to 28 of the 36 states in Nigeria.
For communities surrounded by rivers, creeks, and other bodies of water in Nigeria, boats are often the most viable means of transportation. Yet, these journeys are fraught with peril, as highlighted by the by disturbing number of lives lost during these mostly treacherous trips.
Last year, on independence day, tragedy struck in the Mundi community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State when a boat carrying 300 passengers capsized, and about 150 of them died. The remaining 150 were rescued by local divers, according to State authorities.
Days later, no fewer than 169 passengers lost their lives after a boat carrying 200 passengers drowned in the Gwajibo Mudi community in Kaima LGA of Kwara. The tragic incident happened after the boat hut a submerged by the rising water levels. Only 31 people made out alive.
In November 2024, a boat mishap claimed the lives of 22 commuters, mostly farmers and traders, in Kogi. They were on their way to Katcha weekly market in the Agaie area of Niger State when they met their end.
At least 20 people perished in a boat accident that occurred in Agatu Local Government in Benue State. The boat had 76 passengers on board. All were women and children capsized, according to local authorities.
Four persons, a man and three women, also died in Lafia East local government in Nasarawa State when their overloaded boat sank. The victims were farmers travelling to the Ashange market from Alogami village when the boat sank with 25 passengers, four motorcycles, and bags of melon seeds.
On July 7, a boat accident at Kwalgi village in the Auyo area of Jigawa State reportedly left two people dead and two others missing. According to the State government, the boat was travelling to Hadin village from Kwalgi when it drowned with 20 passengers onboard after a powerful wave hit the overloaded boat.
Five persons lost their lives in a boat mishap in the Nahuce area in Taura local government. 15 other passengers were unaccounted for. Authorities confirmed that the boat was conveying 20 passengers crossing over the Gamoda River when it capsized.
At least 41 people died after a boat conveying over 50 passengers capsized in the Gummi local government area of Zamfara State. Only 12 people were rescued alive.
In the Dundaye community in the Wamako area of Sokoto State, four people died when a boat conveying 24 passengers capsized. Nineteen of the passengers were rescued, but one of them was declared missing.
No fewer than 20 passengers were reportedly killed in a boat accident along the Ezetu I community in the southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa.
A boat accident in the Okibie community of the Southern Ijaw in Bayelsa also resulted in the deaths of an individual when a 15-seater speedboat capsized.
Five people were killed in a boat mishap along Bennett Island in the Warri-South LGA of Delta State. The accident left six passengers injured, with one missing and 19 rescued.
In Taraba, four lives were lost in a boat mishap that occurred in the Mayo Ranemo area of the State. The victims, over 30 of them, were in transit to Balengo town in Karin-Lamido when the engine boat capsized in the Benue River, leading to four fatalities.
As for the southwest, a boat collision in Lagos State claimed the lives of five passengers sailing from Ebutte Ero to Badagry when an ill-fated wooden boat collided with a fibre boat with 10 and 15 passengers onboard, respectively
Solution and way forward
President Bola Tinubu, during his Independence Day speech last year, directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the spate of boat mishaps in the country and devise modalities to curtail the trend.
However, the issuance of directives is not enough. The government must take concrete and decisive steps to address the loss of lives and goods on our waterways.
It has been reported that many of these commuters, especially traders, who opted for boats to reach their destination do so because of the lack of access roads to the market. The government must prioritise road networks in the rural areas to bolster economic activities there.
Local and State governments must enforce safety measures, including the compulsory use of life jackets by passengers, among others, to curb the menace. Anyone who violates these safety measures should be severely punished.
Government at all levels must also invest in water transportation to reduce accidents on our waterways to the barest minimum
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