Niger River Tragedy: 150 Passengers Missing After Boat Sinks

Boat Capsizes in Niger River; 150 Missing

“The boat, which was transporting about 300 passengers, mainly women and children from Mundi Community...”

Rescue operations continue in Niger State after devastating boat accident.

Tragedy struck in Niger State's Mokwa Local Government Area when a boat carrying over 300 passengers, mostly women and children, capsized during Maulid celebrations on October 1.

The boat was traveling from Mundi to Gbajibo communities when it sank, leaving 150+ feared missing.

Rescue operations, led by Niger State Emergency Management Agency's Director General Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, continue on October 2, with hopes of finding additional survivors.

Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed on Wednesday, October 2, that search and rescue operations are ongoing. “We are working tirelessly to find more survivors and provide support to affected families,” Baba-Arah stated.

Baba-Arah said, “NSEMA received a report of a boat accident that occurred on the night of October 1, 2024, around 8:30 pm along River Niger, upstream of Jebba Dam, at Gbajibo Community in Mokwa LGA.

“The boat, which was transporting about 300 passengers, mainly women and children from Mundi Community, was en route to Gbajibo for the Maulid celebration.

“NSEMA is coordinating search and rescue operations in partnership with the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and other community volunteers.

“Thanks to the swift response of the local volunteers, over 150 persons have been rescued alive so far.”

The Director General reassured the public that search and rescue efforts are continuing, with a commitment to share further information as more survivors are rescued.