It was a black Tuesday at the late hours of Nigeria 64th Independence Day Celebration as overcrowded boat with estimated 300 persons on board apparently and entirely without safety jackets capsized at River Niger upstream of Jebba dam when the boat that was conveying the victims from Mundi village for Maulud celebration turned upside down at Gbajibo community in Mokwa local government area of Niger State.

Local government authority in Mokwa council area said over 60 persons were recovered from river lifeless by local divers who arrived the scene of the accident earlier when the incident occurred,  but the National Emergency Agency, NEMA said only 16 persons were confirmed dead on Wednesday, but on Thursday, the Agency said more eight dead bodies were recovered from the River, bring the NEMA figure to 24.

NEMA in Niger State also stated on Wednesday that over 150 persons were rescued alive from the Boat accident that reportedly occurred around 8pm on Tuesday night.

Over 300 persons were said to be onboard the wooden boat when it capsized into the River Niger.

Channels Television in a post few hours ago published a video it said it exclusively obtained in which faces of the apparent victims were seen in large overcrowded manner sitting inside a very long engine wooden boat. According to the TV station, the video was taken before the boat capsized. The video showed the boat users during the day time.

A statement issued by Abubakar Dakani, the Press Secretary to the Council Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, it was reported that over 300 passengers were onboard when the boat capsized in Gbajibo community area of River Niger.

Dakani said that the boat was en route from Mundi to Gbajibo for the Annual Maulud celebration when the accident occurred.

The press release also mentioned that Council Chairman Abdullahi Muregi confirmed the recovery of around 60 bodies, along with the discovery of 10 survivors.

Adding that rescue efforts are ongoing, in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency and local residents, to recover others who remain missing.

In September 2023, a similar boat carrying over 50 passengers capsized, resulting in the deaths of 24 individuals who were on their way to harvest crops.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, shared details about the accident. He explained that the boat was on the River Niger near the Jebba Dam when it capsized.

“The incident happened in the Gbajibo community in Mokwa at about 8:30 PM on Tuesday. The boat was returning from Mundi with almost 300 passengers, mostly women and children, who had attended a Maulid celebration.

NSEMA is working hard to find more survivors, teaming up with the State Ministry of Transport, local emergency committees, divers, and volunteers from the community. Thanks to their quick actions, over 150 people have been rescued so far”.

Just last week, the Deputy Governor of the State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, mentioned that 182 people had lost their lives in boat accidents across Niger State over the past three years. He shared this during an event for World Maritime Day in Minna, where he also announced the distribution of 33 fibreglass boats to help make water travel safer.

Niger State Government has commiserated with the bereaved families, saying, the reoccuring rates of boat accidents in the state is worrisome.

“Niger State Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago expresses sadness over the boat mishap that occurred on river Niger upstream Jebba dam, at Gbajibo Community of Mokwa Local Government area, which claimed lives of many people including women and children.

The farmer Governor, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, describes the incident as unfortunate and disheartening.

He says the recurring cases of boat mishaps in the State over the past few years is worrisome, pointing out that government would redouble efforts to ensure strict compliance to safety measures, to tame the ugly trend.

The farmer Governor, who sympathises with the leadership and people of Mokwa local government area over the incident, also commiserates with the family of the victims.

He prays that Allah will repose the souls of the departed, comfort the bereaved

and grant quick recovery to those injured.

It was reported that a boat conveying about 300 people, mostly women and children, was sailing from Mundi Community for Maulud celebration, capsized on river Niger upstream Jebba dam, at Gbajibo Community, Mokwa Local Government area.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) in collaboration with relevant MDAs, Local divers and volunteers among others are carrying out search and rescue operations.

About 150 people have been rescued alive so far, while 16 corpses have been recovered”, the government press release reads as issued on Thursday.