At least 60 people have died and dozens were rescued after an overloaded boat capsized in Nigeria’s north-central Niger State, with the incident occurring due to a collision with a submerged tree stump. The tragedy underscores persistent safety failures in the region’s water transport systems.
The accident took place on Tuesday, September 3, 2025, around 11 a.m. local time, when a vessel carrying over 100 passengers departed from Tungan Sule in the Malale district, heading towards Dugga on the Kainji reservoir. It struck a submerged tree stump near the Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area, causing the boat to capsize and sink rapidly in the waters.
Initial reports from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) indicated 29 fatalities, but the death toll has since risen to at least 60, with rescue operations ongoing to locate missing individuals. Abdullahi Baba Ara, NSEMA’s director general, confirmed the rising casualties and stated that search efforts are focused on recovering more victims, highlighting the challenges faced by emergency responders in the remote area.
Women and children made up a significant portion of the passengers, as they were traveling to Dugga for a condolence visit, according to NSEMA officials. Ten people were found in serious condition and are receiving medical attention, while some of the deceased have been buried in accordance with Islamic rites, as reported by local authorities like Sa’adu Inuwa Muhammad, the district head of Shagumi.
The cause of the accident was directly attributed to overloading and the collision with the submerged obstacle, issues that are common in Nigeria’s riverine communities. Poor maintenance of vessels, lax safety regulations, and overcrowding exacerbate risks, particularly during the rainy season from March to October when water levels are high and navigation is more hazardous.
This incident echoes a similar tragedy in August 2025 in Sokoto State, where over 40 people went missing after a boat capsized, also due to overloading. The recurrence of such events points to systemic problems in Nigeria’s water transport infrastructure, including inadequate enforcement of safety standards and a lack of investment in better vessels and monitoring systems.
Authorities are investigating the specifics of this accident, with calls from the public and officials for immediate action to prevent future occurrences. Efforts are underway to support survivors and families of the victims, while also reviewing safety protocols to ensure stricter compliance and reduce the frequency of these devastating incidents.
The broader implications include a need for governmental and community-led initiatives to improve water safety, such as regular inspections of boats, capacity limits enforcement, and public awareness campaigns. This event serves as a grim reminder of the urgent requirements for enhanced safety measures in Nigeria’s transport sector to protect lives.