Fifteen additional bodies were recovered from the boat accident that occurred last Tuesday in Ibaji Local Government Area, of Kogi State, increasing the death toll to 35, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The ill-fated boat, reportedly carrying between 80 and 82 passengers, capsized on the River Niger while traveling from Onugwa community to Ilushi market. The passengers were mostly traders and residents heading out to celebrate Nigeria’s October 1 Independence Day, as well as some returning from a burial ceremony in Onugwa.
Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Timothy Ojomah, stated that around 20 passengers remain unaccounted for despite rescue and recovery steps.
Initially, 46 survivors were pulled from the water, but many others are still missing. The rescue operation has involved local divers as well as several emergency response agencies including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Civil Defence Corps, and the Red Cross.
NEMA emphasized that the accident occurred around 5:40 p.m. on September 30 along the Onugwa-Olushi route. NEMA’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, deployed personnel to assist with rescue efforts and restates the importance of following safety regulations on water, including the mandatory use of life jackets and respecting passenger limits.
President Bola Tinubu expressed his sympathy in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The governing powers of the State have called for strict adherence to water safety measures to prevent future accidents. NEMA and other agencies have pledged collaboration to improve emergency response in the region.
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