Nine bodies, including two women and seven men, have been recovered after a tragic boat accident in Gbajibo, Niger State. The victims were among 300 passengers traveling from Mundi Community to attend the Maulid celebration in Gbajibo on Tuesday night when the boat capsized.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed that 150 passengers were rescued immediately, while another 150 remain missing.
The boat, primarily carrying women and children, overturned during the journey.
In a statement on Wednesday, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, Director General of NSEMA, provided an update on the ongoing search and rescue efforts.
“Nine corpses have been recovered in the Gbajibo boat accident—two females and seven men,” Baba-Arah said.
He further explained that the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on October 1, 2024, along the River Niger, upstream of the Jebba Dam in Mokwa Local Government Area.
NSEMA, in collaboration with the State Ministry of Transport, the Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and community volunteers, continues to lead the search and rescue mission.
As families await further updates, this tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by overcrowded boats and the pressing need for stricter safety measures to prevent future accidents.
