By Laraba MUREY
More than 30 persons have died while 58 others were rescued in a boat accident at Gausawa community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The National Emergency Management Agency disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by its Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel.
According to the statement, the accident occurred on September 2, 2025, when a boat carrying about 90 passengers capsized.
“So far, 58 passengers have been rescued, while over 30 lives have been lost as one additional body was recovered this afternoon. Several other passengers remain unaccounted for, with search and rescue efforts still ongoing,” the statement quoted witnesses and officials as saying.
NEMA said initial investigations showed that the mishap was caused by overloading, worsened by a collision with a tree stump along the water channel.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, directed the agency’s Minna Operations Office to intensify rescue efforts.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency is leading the operation with support from the National Inland Waterways Authority, Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, Nigerian Red Cross Society, local divers, and community volunteers.
NEMA assured that it was working with all stakeholders to ensure an organised response, promising to provide further updates as details emerge.
