- Mishap raises concerns about safety of passengers on inland water ways
Eight more bodies have been recovered from last Tuesday’s boat accident at Ibaji, Kogi State.
The recovery followed the ongoing search and rescue mounted by personnel of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency.
Its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Muktar Atima, confirmed the recovery of the eight bodies, adding that further search was ongoing at the scene of the mishap.
The State government had in a condolence message to the people of the state on Wednesday revealed that no fewer than 26 lives were lost in the mishap.
The incident, which occurred at about 4.30 pm on Tuesday, involved mainly traders travelling from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to Ilushi Market in Edo State.
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The state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwoon, confirmed the incident in a condolence message on behalf of Governor Ahmed Ododo.
The statement reads in part: “The Government and people of Kogi State received with deep sadness the news of the boat mishap which occurred on the River Niger, involving traders travelling from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to Ilushi Market in Edo State.
“Reports indicate that the unfortunate incident has allegedly claimed the lives of no fewer than 26 passengers.
“This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ibaji Local Government Area, in this moment of grief.
“His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and has directed relevant agencies, including the State Emergency Management Agency, to work with local authorities to provide immediate support and relief to those affected.
“The Governor further assured that the state government will intensify ongoing efforts in collaboration with federal agencies to improve safety measures on our waterways in order to prevent a reoccurrence of such a tragedy.
“We call on our people, especially in the riverine communities, to always prioritise safety by avoiding overloading and by using life jackets and other precautionary measures whenever they travel by water.”
Mishap raises concerns about safety of passengers on inland water ways
The state has been in mourning mood since the Tuesday accident, which claimed no fewer than 32 lives. According to the state government, the mishap involved mainly traders who were travelling from Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to Ilushi Market in Edo State.
Some residents said that the accident occurred on the River Niger between Onugwa Village in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State and Ilushi (Ojigono) in Edo State.
The state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), through its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, also disclosed that 80 passengers boarded the boat while 68 were rescued.
Search and rescue were still on as at press time.
Of particular concern was the report of a family in Onugwa community losing eight members in the accident.
While the result of the investigation into the cause of the mishap is being awaited, it is apparent that it has once again brought up the need to secure the lives of passengers on inland waterways in Nigeria.
To be sure, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has in recent times taken several steps to ensure the safety of waterways travellers. For instance, in August, NIWA commenced the enforcement of the law anyone travelling on Nigeria’s waterways must wear life jackets.
NIWA had launched the enforcement at Niger-Kwara Area Office, insisting that any passenger boarding a commercial canoe or boat across its waterways must wear a life jacket. The Area Manager, Mr Akapo Adeboye, flagged off the 2025 sensitization campaign on safety of lives and property in line with inland waterways regulations at Gabgibo community.
The campaign was tagged “Safety and Safe Trip: Zero Tolerance to Boat Mishap – No Life Jacket, No Boarding.” The enforcement, which began at the Gabgibo waterfront in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, is part of the authority’s efforts to reduce boat accidents and ensure safety on waterways.
NIWA has also introduced various other initiatives including recruitment of personnel who patrol the various Inland waterways across Nigeria to ensure that commercial boats and canoes do not embark on night trips on the waterways.
It will be recalled that NIWA also arraigned two boat operators, namely Alhaji Musa Dangana and Yakubu Dangana before a Lokoja Chief Magistrate Court over a November 2024 boat disaster on Niger River, which claimed no fewer than 19 lives.
The Kogi State Police Command, through its wing of the National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA), arraigned the errant men. The duo were the owner and the operator of the wooden boat loaded with 60 passengers from Cupa area of Lokoja to Kacha Market in Niger State.
The two men were arraigned over three count charge of criminal conspiracy, negligent conduct and “failure to observe general obligation to exercise vigilance contrary to sections 97(2),196 of Kogi State penal code and section 7 of Inland Waterways transportation regulation.”
The duo however pleaded not guilty to the three charges.
NIWA has also been imploring boat operators not to take hard drugs while operating the boats and shun overloading. The boat operators have also been advised to ensure that canoes and boats being used for operation are in good shape and properly maintained.
The lesson from last Tuesday’s boat incident was that no matter the extent of safety measures put in place by the NIWA, passengers patronising commercial canoes and boats themselves need to accord priority to the safety of their lives and be ready to embrace measures put in place to achieve this by authorities.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, has however assured of his government’s continuous support for whatever safety measures are put in place by the Federal Government and its agencies to ensure safety on the waterways.
In the same vein, Kogi State former Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba, in his condolences over the mishap, enjoined engine boat owners to always put safety measures first in their day-to-day running of their engine boats.
Achuba also implored the state government “to listen to the cry of Ibaji people and construct their road for easy access to neighbouring communities, and for commercial activities.”
From all indications and more than ever before, there is still a need for intensive and continuous enlightenment on the various measures being put in place by government to ensure the safety of passengers patronising Nigeria’s waterways.
