Niger Boat Mishap: Hopes Dim Of Finding Survivors

• 150 Still Missing As NIWA Rescues 100

OvAer 150 people are missing after a boat carrying 300 passengers capsized in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident occurred on Independence Day around 8:30 PM on the Niger River, upstream of the Jebba Dam near Gbajibo Community.

The boat, which was transporting passengers from Mundi Community—mostly women and children—was en route to a Maulid celebration when it capsized.

This tragedy follows the recent distribution of fibreglass boats by the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) to prevent such accidents.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident, with Director General Abdullahi Baba Arah reporting that over 150 passengers have been rescued thanks to swift action by community volunteers. Search and rescue efforts, involving local divers and emergency teams, are ongoing.

Niger State recently reported that 182 lives have been lost in boat mishaps over the past three years.