Tragedy struck in Niger State as the death toll from Tuesday’s boat mishap in Borgu Local Government Area has risen to 60, according to officials.
The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullah Arah, confirmed the figure on Wednesday. He said the boat, which was conveying about 90 passengers, capsized around 11:30 a.m. at Gausawa in Malale ward.
Rescue operations are still ongoing, with local divers and emergency responders searching for missing passengers. Survivors said the boat was overcrowded and encountered turbulent waters before it overturned.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of the victims, but most of the passengers were said to be traders and farmers traveling across the river for daily activities.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the recurring cases of boat accidents in riverine communities in Nigeria, often linked to overloading, poor safety practices, and the absence of life jackets.
