Tragedy struck in Niger and Taraba States as two separate boat incidents claimed the lives of five people over the weekend. In Niger State, a boat capsized, leaving several people missing, while in Taraba State, three people, including a pregnant woman, died after a boat ferrying vehicles and passengers across River Namnai capsized.
According to an eyewitness in Niger State, who pleaded anonymity, the boat hit a tree stump and broke apart, resulting in the accident. The incident occurred just days after the National Inland Waterways Authority inaugurated a safety awareness campaign tagged “No Life Jacket, No Boarding” across riverine communities in the state. The spokesman of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Hussaine Ibrahim, confirmed the incident and said rescue teams had been deployed to the scene.
In Taraba State, the boat capsized on Friday evening while crossing a section of the Jalingo-Wukari highway where the Namnai Bridge collapsed in August 2023. The deceased were identified as Aisha Rilwanu Maiwada, Baraatu Bala Yaroji, and Yusuf Badawi Bala, a pregnant woman. The Chairman of Gassol Local Government Council, Abubakar Sadique, and the state Chairman of Inland Water Transporters, Jidda Mayoreniyo, confirmed the incident and said rescue operations were still ongoing.
When news men visited the scene on Saturday, four vehicles and several belongings remained submerged as onlookers watched divers at work. One of the affected drivers, Mallam Abdul Kaifa, said it was the second time his vehicle had sunk in the river since the bridge collapsed. The incident highlights the need for improved safety measures and infrastructure in the state’s waterways.
The incidents in both Niger and Taraba States serve as a reminder of the importance of maritime safety and the need for strict enforcement of safety regulations. The authorities must take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
