Niger boat tragedy: 20 additional bodies recovered

Local divers, along with the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), have retrieved 20 more bodies following the capsizing of a boat carrying Mawlid celebrants in Gbajibo, Mokwa Local Government Area, Niger State.

This brings the death toll to 36, according to reports from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.

The boat, which had around 300 passengers, capsized on Tuesday night at approximately 8 pm, shortly after leaving the Mundi community. The incident occurred just before the boat reached its destination.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Abdullahi Arah, confirmed that 16 bodies were initially recovered on Wednesday—two women and 14 men. The victims were buried in the Gbajibo community.

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“An additional 20 bodies were recovered on Thursday by local divers, in collaboration with NSEMA and NEMA officials, increasing the number of confirmed deaths to 36,” Arah said, noting that the search and rescue operation is ongoing.

Relatives Share Their Pain

Some relatives of those lost in the tragedy have shared their grief. While the incident occurred in Niger State, many of the victims were from the Gbajibo community in Kwara State, located several hours from Kaiama.

Mahmud Gbajibo, a resident of the community, described the event as devastating. He revealed that he lost seven family members, including two married nieces, three nephews, and two younger brothers, who had attended a delayed naming ceremony.

“Many of us could not control our emotions when we saw our dead loved ones,” Gbajibo said, adding, “After the incident, our women were running naked around the community. Now, nothing is happening here—no shops are open, and no one is cooking.”

He also mentioned that the deputy chief Imam and his three children, who had attended the ceremony to represent their Imam, were among the deceased.

Gbajibo further noted that the community could have avoided the tragedy if they had more motorcycles, which could have been used instead of the boats. “We are pleading for the provision of motorcycles,” he said.

Haron Yohana, another relative, said he had wished his family a safe trip but had no idea it would be their last. “I lost three nieces, my father, and my younger brother,” he lamented. “We just have to control our emotions and do what needs to be done.”

According to another community member, the boat broke in two due to overloading. Most of the victims were fathers and husbands, leaving over 100 families without breadwinners.

(DAILY TRUST)