More than 150 passengers are feared missing after a boat capsized in Mokwa Local Government Area, Niger State.
The tragic incident occurred during a journey on Tuesday when the boat, carrying over 300 passengers—mostly women and children—sank while en route for a Maulid celebration.
The passengers were traveling from Mundi Community to Gbajibo Community when the accident happened.
On Wednesday, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the incident and said rescue efforts are underway to find more survivors.
“NSEMA received a report of a boat accident that happened on the night of October 1, 2024, at about 8:30 pm, along River Niger, upstream of Jebba Dam, near Gbajibo Community in Mokwa LGA,” Baba-Arah stated.
The boat was transporting around 300 passengers, mostly women and children, from Mundi to Gbajibo for the Maulid celebration.
“NSEMA is coordinating search and rescue operations alongside the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers. So far, over 150 passengers have been rescued thanks to the quick response of local volunteers,” he added.
Baba-Arah assured the public that the search and rescue mission is ongoing, with updates to be shared as more survivors are found.
