At least 25 people, including 10 members of the same family, are feared dead following a devastating boat mishap in Gunu community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The tragic incident occurred around 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, as the victims were traveling to the Kwata-Zumba weekly market. The boat, which was reportedly overloaded with passengers and farm produce, capsized midway, throwing everyone on board into the water.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Director General, Abdullahi Arah.
“NSEMA has received a report of a boat mishap incident which occurred today, 26th July 2025, around 11:45 am when a boat loaded with commodities and an unspecified number of passengers heading towards Kwata-Zumba Market capsized,” Arah said.
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He stated that search and rescue operations began immediately, involving local divers, community volunteers, and NSEMA officials. While some passengers, including the boat operator, were rescued alive, many remain unaccounted for, and recovery efforts are still ongoing.
“As of the time of this report, the number of casualties has not been officially confirmed, as rescue efforts continue,” he added.
One of the rescued victims is currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Kuta, headquarters of Shiroro LGA.
The traditional ruler of Zumba, Sarkin Ruwa Umar Isah, confirmed the tragedy and estimated that about 25 people may have lost their lives. He revealed that an entire family of 10 was among the victims, while another family reported five members missing.
According to him, determining the exact number of passengers has been difficult due to the absence of a passenger manifest, as the boat operator failed to register boarding details.
This latest mishap adds to the growing list of boat-related tragedies in Nigeria, particularly in riverine and rural communities, often linked to overloading, poor regulation, and lack of safety measures.
Authorities have urged boat operators to prioritize safety compliance, including passenger limits, the use of life jackets, and proper record-keeping.
