Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic boat accident in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, which claimed at least 27 lives.
The accident occurred on Tuesday morning. along the Shagunu–Dunga axis of Kainji Lake, when a wooden boat carrying more than 130 passengers capsized after reportedly colliding with a tree stump. Overloading has been cited as a possible cause of the mishap. Eyewitnesses said the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) rescue team arrived at the scene around 1:33 p.m.
In a condolence message posted on X on Thursday, Atiku described the tragedy as “a painful reminder of the urgent need to enhance safety measures on our waterways.”
“Reports indicate that the boat, which was carrying about 90 passengers including women and children, collided with a tree stump, with overloading cited as a possible cause of the mishap. This unfortunate incident highlights the recurring risks associated with water transportation in our riverine communities.
“Boat travel has become an indispensable means of transportation for many Nigerians. It is, therefore, crucial that the right infrastructure and safety protocols are put in place. Overloading must be discouraged, capacities strictly adhered to, and the provision of life jackets made compulsory. The cost of safety is far cheaper than the cost of lives cut short in preventable tragedies,” he wrote.
Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, extended condolences to the families of the victims, the Gausawa community, and the government of Niger State.
“My heartfelt condolences go to the families of the victims, the Gausawa community, and the government and people of Niger State. May the Almighty grant comfort to the bereaved and eternal rest to those who lost their lives,” he said.
He added that the incident must serve as a wake-up call for authorities to prioritize investment in water transport safety infrastructure, stronger monitoring, and public awareness to prevent further tragedies.
Boat accidents are common across Nigeria’s inland waterways, often caused by overloading, poor regulation, and lack of safety gear.
In August 2024, at least 16 farmers died when a canoe capsized in Sokoto State. On July 29, six girls drowned in Jigawa State while returning from farm work after their boat capsized, and just two days earlier, at least 13 people died in another Niger State boat accident.
