By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
At least 20 people have been confirmed dead and several others declared missing after a boat capsized on Tuesday evening in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State. The incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. when a fully loaded boat carrying traders and other passengers from Onugwa to Ilushi market sank in the River Niger. Some of the victims were reportedly returning from a burial ceremony in Onugwa.An eyewitness, James Otoga, a farmer in the community, told journalists that the boat was overcrowded and heading to Ilushi market for the October 1st celebration when it capsized.“
The boat was fully loaded with our people going to market. Only five survivors have been rescued so far. About 20 bodies have been recovered, while many others are still missing beneath the river,” Otoga said.Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Hon. Ugeh Emmanuel, who confirmed the incident by telephone, described it as the most disastrous boat mishap in the history of the council.“ As I speak, no one can give the exact number of casualties or confirm how many passengers were on board. The accident happened before the boat got close to Ilushi. Most of the victims were heading there for the October 1st celebration, a tradition in the community,” Emmanuel stated.
The latest mishap adds to a series of boat accidents recorded in Kogi, Niger, and other riverine states in the past year, raising fresh concerns over inland waterway safety.Efforts to reach the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebanji, and its Assistant General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Suleiman Makama, were unsuccessful as their phones were switched off.
