Boat mishap

By Ibrahim Aliyu Gurin 

Boat accidents in Nigeria are tragically frequent, especially in regions with limited transportation options. In states like Niger, Kebbi, and Adamawa, where rural communities depend on boats for daily travel, the risks are high. Overloading, poor safety measures, and weak enforcement of regulations are the leading causes, leaving many families devastated.

On one fateful day, farmers, eager to beat an approaching storm, crowded into a boat to head home. Among them were women and children, holding on to hope as the sky darkened. But their fears came true. Halfway through the journey, strong winds capsized the overloaded boat, and chaos broke out. Screams echoed as men, women, and children fought to stay afloat. Twenty people went missing, lost to the river’s depths.

In a desperate attempt, a mother tried to save her infant by holding the child above water. She drowned, but a diver managed to rescue the baby—a small miracle amidst the tragedy. Others were less fortunate. Adamu Mai-nama lost his wife, two children, sister, and in-laws. “They’re all gone,” he mourned, his voice heavy with grief.

This heartbreaking scene repeats itself across Nigeria every year. Boats, essential for transport in areas with limited roads, become death traps due to overloading, faulty maintenance, and weak safety enforcement. According to data provided by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), between January 2018 and October 2023, Nigeria recorded 1,204 deaths from boat accidents, averaging about 17 fatalities per month. These incidents occurred in 25 states, with Niger State having the highest number of deaths at 275.

Overloading remains a critical issue as boat operators prioritise profit over safety. Many vessels are dangerously overcrowded, and passengers, lacking alternatives, are forced to risk their lives. In countries like Bangladesh, strict enforcement of passenger limits has reduced boat accidents. Nigeria could benefit from similar regulations, cracking down on operators who ignore safety rules.

Compounding the problem is the poor condition of many boats. They are often old, poorly maintained, and lack essential safety equipment like life jackets. Passengers board these vessels with little choice but to rely on luck. Rising water levels and stronger storms, driven by climate change, further heighten the danger. 

According to the Marine Crafts Builders Association of Nigeria, over the past decade, Nigeria has seen approximately 3,130 boat accidents, leading to over 3,133 deaths. Regular inspections and better boat maintenance are urgently needed.

The dangers of drowning also extend beyond boat accidents. The World Health Organization reported that drowning deaths in Nigeria reached 6,584 in 2020, accounting for 0.44% of total deaths, with a drowning mortality rate of 2.17 per 100,000 people. This staggering number highlights the broader issue of water safety and the need for comprehensive measures to protect lives.

When accidents happen, the country’s rescue efforts are often too slow to be effective—poor funding and inadequate equipment delay response times, costing lives. Investing in better rescue units, equipment, and training responders is essential. However, prevention through stronger safety measures is the most effective solution.

Public awareness campaigns are also crucial. Many passengers don’t realise the dangers of overcrowded boats or the importance of life jackets. Localised safety education, led by community leaders, can make a significant difference.

Countries like Indonesia and Bangladesh have shown that strict regulations and public education can reduce boat mishaps. Nigeria can make its waterways safer by modernising boats, enforcing safety standards, and raising awareness. Unfortunately, the lack of enforcement in remote areas undermines these efforts. While states like Lagos have made progress, others, such as Niger, Kebbi, and Adamawa, need to implement stronger oversight and inspections.

The tragedies we see on Nigeria’s waterways are preventable. They result from neglect of safety regulations, boat maintenance, and human life care. We must act now to prevent more families from suffering: enforce safety rules, improve boat conditions, strengthen rescue operations, and educate the public.

The mishaps on Nigeria’s waterways don’t have to keep happening—they can be stopped. Every life lost shows the price we pay for ignoring safety. We know what needs to be done, but we keep doing nothing. How many more children need to lose their parents? How many more families must suffer before we take action?

The next boat accident could happen anytime. Will we wait for more lives to be lost, or will we make the changes needed to save them? The choice is ours, and lives depend on it.

Ibrahim Aliyu Gurin writes from Bayero University, Kano, via ibrahimaliyu5023@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Four individuals lost their lives in a tragic boat accident at Dundaye community in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Alhaji Aliyu Kafindangi, the head of the Sokoto Field Operation Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the incident on Tuesday.

The mishap occurred on Sunday evening, involving 24 passengers.

A rescue team comprising NEMA, the Nigerian Red Cross, Fire Services, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and local divers managed to recover the dead bodies on Monday.Kafindangi stated that, “One body was recovered on Sunday, and three more were found yesterday, bringing the death toll to four.”

“Nineteen people were rescued, and one person is still missing. Search and rescue efforts continue,” he added.

The NEMA official expressed gratitude to the state and local governments and the community for their support in the ongoing rescue operations.

By Anwar Usman

The police in Jigawa have confirmed the death of five persons and 15 others missing in a canoe accident that occurred on Thursday in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident in a statement issued to news men in Dutse.

Mr Shiisu stated that the incident occurred at Nahuce in Taura Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

“Today, at about 1200hrs, information from a reliable source revealed that a canoe conveying 20 passengers to cross over Gamoda River at Nahuce Village capsized.

He identified the deceased passengers as Abdurra’uf Mohammed, aged 15, Suleman Ali, 20, Shafiu Mohammed, 25, Ado Nafance, 7, and Alasan Mohmmed, 16, all from Taura LGA.

Mr Shiisu said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmadu Abdullahi, had prayed for the restfulness of the souls of the deceased and for Allah to give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Dail Reality (TDR) gathered that the incident was coming one month after a similar incident in Kwalgai Village, Auyo LGA, leading to the death of two persons and the rescue of 18 others.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Following a boat tragedy on the Shagari River in the Shagari local government area of Sokoto state, 26 people have been confirmed deceased, with the search continuing.

Aliyu Dantani, Chairman of Shagari Council Area, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Wednesday that the accident happened on Tuesday evening.

Dantani added that 21 of the 26 bodies retrieved were women, while five were children, and that a search and rescue attempt was still underway.

On the other hand, the chairman stated that the exact number of passengers on the boat could not be determined right away.

He said that local divers were currently in the river, trying to figure out how to recover dead or save lives.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Musa Labaran, a farmer from Kebbi State, has lost five of his children in a boat accident on Wednesday.

The event occurred when a boat carrying Labaran, his five children, and two other passengers to their fields across the river collapsed due to strong winds near Yauri.

According to reports, while the other two passengers were retrieved alive, Labaran’s fifth child’s remains have yet to be discovered.

“The four bodies recovered are all of my children, three boys and a girl. The fifth one is a boy, and he is yet to be found.

“The boat capsized while we were in the middle of the river. I did my best to save them but couldn’t hold on to five of them. I held on to the girl while trying to swim to the river bank but eventually lost grip of her,” Mr Labaran said.

This is not the first time lives were lost in a boat mishap in the state, as some months ago, over 50 passengers, many of whom were children, were feared dead after their boat capsized.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Following the boat mishap on Tuesday, 30th November, 2021 in Bagwai Local Government of the state, the Kano State Government has announced a ban on the use of commercial boats in transporting passengers in the river.

The Daily Reality has reported the incident that had claimed the lives of twenty nine people. Adding to that development, Kano State governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje disclosed the ban in a statement issued to journalists by the State Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba.

In her effort, the Kano State government has provided two buses for passenger shuttle between Badau and Bagwai, while three new boats would be procured for effective water transportation in the area.

He added that: “Other control measures are expected to be instituted when the investigation committee set up by the state government submitted its report for implementation.”