Tragedies on Nigeria's Waterways: A Persistent Crisis

A recent boat accident in northwestern Nigeria left at least 40 people missing. The incident highlights ongoing issues with overloaded and poorly maintained vessels impacting remote communities, especially during the rainy season. Such accidents resulted in 326 deaths in 2024, with regulatory enforcement being questioned.

A tragic boat accident on a river in northwestern Nigeria has left at least 40 people missing, according to authorities. The incident occurred on Sunday near the Goronyo area in Sokoto state as the vessel was transporting passengers to a local market.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that only 10 individuals have been rescued so far, with search and rescue operations ongoing in the affected region. This accident is part of a troubling pattern of deadly boat mishaps on Nigerian waterways.

These incidents frequently occur in remote areas during the rainy season, often attributed to overloaded and poorly maintained boats. The lack of enforcement of safety regulations, including the availability of life jackets, exacerbates the situation. Last month, a similar accident resulted in at least 25 fatalities in north-central Nigeria.

(With inputs from agencies.)