At least 54 bodies have been recovered from a tragic boat accident in Kogi State involving approximately 200 traders.
The incident occurred along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger, as the traders were traveling to a market in Niger State.
The National Emergency Management Agency confirmed the figure on Saturday.
NEMA’s Head of Operations for Kogi State, Justin Uwazuruonye said “The number of recovered bodies, according to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and NEMA, is 54. Unfortunately, there was no manifest for the boat, making it difficult to determine the exact number of passengers.”
He added that the tragedy was exacerbated by the lack of safety precautions. “It was a night journey, and none of the passengers were wearing life jackets,” Uwazuruonye said.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) also confirmed the accident. Suleman Makama, Head of NIWA’s Media Department, revealed that the victims were predominantly traders.
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a devastating loss.
“It is heartbreaking to learn that most of the victims were women, petty traders, and artisans engaged in legitimate business activities,” he said in a statement released by his media adviser, Ismail Isah.
Governor Ododo highlighted the growing risks of water transportation in the region. “The waterway linking Kogi and Niger State has become increasingly hazardous due to frequent boat accidents,” he noted.
He called for urgent inter-agency collaboration to address safety gaps and improve emergency response mechanisms.
“We must prioritize safety measures to minimize the risks associated with water travel,” Ododo stated, adding that his administration would provide support to the injured and families of the deceased.
