FG, Atiku, Others Mourn Victims of Borgu Boat Mishap
The Federal Government has joined Nigerians in mourning the victims of the tragic boat accident in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, which claimed dozens of lives earlier this week.
The accident occurred on Tuesday when a wooden boat carrying more than 100 passengers capsized along the Shagunu–Dugga axis of Kainji Lake after hitting a submerged tree stump. Casualty figures vary across reports, with between 29 and 60 people feared dead, while about 50 survivors were rescued.
Many of the victims were women and children.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the incident as a national tragedy and conveyed the Federal Government’s condolences to the bereaved families.
He assured that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had been directed to work with Niger State authorities to provide relief materials and coordinate rescue efforts.
In a related development, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed grief over the incident, describing it as a “preventable national disaster.”
He called for stricter enforcement of water transport safety rules, particularly the compulsory use of life jackets. Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) said the tragedy underscored the need for urgent reforms, while the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) urged government agencies to step up enforcement of safety standards on Nigeria’s waterways.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State also mourned the victims, stressing that most accidents are caused by human negligence, including overloading and non-use of safety equipment. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to stricter monitoring of inland waterways.
Boat accidents remain a recurring challenge in Niger State and across Nigeria. According to Daily Trust, at least five such mishaps have occurred in the state in 2025 alone, resulting in over 50 deaths. Experts blame poor vessel maintenance, overloading, and lack of enforcement of safety measures as major causes.
The Federal Government has since announced a sensitisation campaign through the National Orientation Agency with the theme “No Life Jacket, No Travel,” aimed at promoting safety culture among waterway users.
