More than 100 individuals have been confirmed dead after a boat carrying numerous wedding guests capsized in the river Niger, located in the north-central region of Nigeria. Local authorities, including the police, have reported the distressing news.
Police have reported that a vessel carrying approximately 250 passengers, who were returning to Patigi in north-central Kwara State after attending a wedding celebration in Gboti, a town in neighboring Niger State, sank early Monday.
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Tragically, 106 individuals onboard lost their lives in the incident. Police further stated that approximately 144 people were successfully rescued from the water.
“On leaving the shore, one part of the boat by the engine side collapsed where water penetrated the boat, which ultimately led to the boat capsizing,” police spokesman in Kwara, Ajayi Okasanmi, said in a statement made available to CNN Wednesday.
“All efforts to draw the attention of the villagers hosting the wedding ceremony for assistance by the persons in the boat proved abortive, leading to the deaths of about 106 people,” the statement added.
According to Abdul Gana Lukpada, a local chief in Patigi, the wedding guests faced a difficult situation when heavy rainfall caused flooding, rendering the roads impassable. As a result, they were left stranded and had no choice but to embark on a boat journey across the River Niger from Gboti village to Patigi.
Search and recovery operations are still ongoing, as authorities are determined to locate any remaining missing individuals and provide closure to the affected families. Local police have launched an investigation into the incident to ascertain the cause of the accident and hold any responsible parties accountable.
Nigeria has a history of boat accidents due to a combination of factors, including overloading, inadequate safety measures, and inclement weather conditions. The government and relevant authorities have been urged to enhance safety regulations, enforce stricter measures, and increase awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future.
