The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 42 people remain missing following a boat accident on the River Niger in the Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Death toll has risen to14 bodies as more bodies were recovered from the river.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, September 30, involved a vessel carrying approximately 80 passengers traveling between the Onugwa community and Olushi village.
NEMA, sharing an update on Thursday on its X handle, reported that emergency responders have so far rescued 24 passengers and
Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the missing individuals.
The statement reads: “According to reports, the incident happened at about 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, when a boat carrying about 80 passengers capsized while en route to Olushi village after departing from Onugwa community in Ibaji LGA.
“Upon receiving the report, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, immediately activated the Agency’s Abuja Operations Office, directing it to deploy personnel to the scene of the tragedy in support of ongoing local rescue efforts.
“The deployment underscores NEMA’s resolve to provide timely intervention and strengthen coordination with state and community responders.
“Search and Rescue (SAR) operations commenced swiftly, leading to the rescue of 24 passengers alive. Sadly, 14 corpses have so far been recovered, while 42 persons remain missing as efforts to locate and recover them continue.”
The report states that community divers are actively assisting official rescue teams, and the operation is ongoing with updates to follow.
The agency stated that the rescue efforts are being coordinated with the active participation of multiple agencies and stakeholders, including the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency; the Local Emergency Management Committee, Ibaji; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; the National Inland Waterways Authority; the Fire Service; the Nigerian Red Cross Society; local divers; and community members.
“The joint effort underscores the importance of multi-agency collaboration in tackling disasters and ensuring a timely response.
“The NEMA response team, led by the Head of Abuja Operations Office, Mr. Zakari Abubakar, has also visited the traditional ruler of Onugwa community, Chief Patrick Arome, and commiserated with him and the people over the tragic incident.
“The tragedy further highlights the urgent need for strict compliance with water safety regulations, including the use of life jackets and enforcement of passenger limits on boats,” it added.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the government and people of Kogi State over the tragic incident.
Persecondnews reports that boat accidents represent a serious and recurring challenge across Nigeria, particularly in riverine states where waterways are essential transport arteries.
Apart from Kogi, Sokoto, Kwara, Niger States among others have recorded boat disasters this year.
In Niger, at least 31 people perished when an overloaded boat struck a submerged tree trunk in Borgu area.
In Sokoto, an incident occurred in late August when a boat carrying around 50 people overturned, resulting in three deaths and 25 missing persons.
Experts have blamed overloading and poor maintenance of boats, lack of safety equipment, such as life jackets, inadequate regulation and enforcement of safety standards, and dangerous navigation conditions especially during rainfall.
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