Tragedy on the Kainji Reservoir: Over 60 Dead in Niger State Boat Accident

Tragedy on the Kainji Reservoir: 60 Dead in Nigerian Boat Disaster

A devastating boat accident in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State has claimed the lives of at least 60 people, sending shockwaves through the nation and prompting renewed calls for improved waterway safety.

The incident occurred on the morning of Tuesday, September 2, when a vessel carrying over 100 passengers departed from Tungan Sule in Malale district en route to Dugga for a condolence visit. Around 11 a.m., the overloaded boat struck a submerged tree stump near the Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area and capsized in the Kainji reservoir.

Local officials and emergency responders rushed to the scene, where rescue efforts began immediately. Abdullahi Baba Ara, chair of Borgu Local Government Area, confirmed that the death toll had risen to 60, with 10 others seriously injured and many still unaccounted for.

Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi, who was present during recovery operations, stated that the boat was carrying more than 100 people and that 31 bodies had been recovered by Tuesday afternoon. The majority of the victims were women and children, many of whom have already been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) attributed the tragedy to overloading and the collision with the submerged tree stump. The agency emphasized that such accidents are all too common in Nigeria’s riverine communities, especially during the rainy season when waterways swell and safety enforcement is often lax. Poorly maintained vessels and inadequate regulation continue to plague the country’s water transport system.

In response to the disaster, Nigeria’s Vice President Atiku Abubakar issued a heartfelt statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and the affected communities. He urged authorities to treat the incident as a wake-up call and prioritize investment in water transportation safety infrastructure, monitoring, and public awareness to prevent future tragedies.

As rescue operations continue and the nation mourns, the Borgu boat disaster stands as a grim reminder of the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s inland waterway systems.