THE head of operations for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Kogi State, Justin Uwazuruonye, has confirmed that 54 bodies were recovered from the boat accident involving about 200 traders in the state.
Speaking with newsmen in the state on Saturday, November 30, he explained that the number of fatalities reported by the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, the Red Cross, and NEMA stood at 54.
He further pointed out that the lack of a passenger manifest made it challenging to ascertain the exact number of individuals on board.
“We tried to know if they could make the manifest available, but they said there was no manifest, and if there is no manifest, we can’t say the exact number of passengers on the boat. Besides, it was a night journey, and none of them had life jackets on.”
The ICIR reports that the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the boat accident on Friday.
Suleman Makama, the head of NIWA’s Media Department, stated that the traders were en route to a market in Niger State when the boat capsized at the Dambo-Ebuchi stretch of the River Niger.
Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has urged increased collaboration among agencies to prevent accidents on waterways.
In a statement issued by his special adviser on media, Ismail Isah, Ododo expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, noting that many of the victims were women, petty traders, and artisans engaged in lawful business activities.
He also highlighted his concern about the hazards along the waterway connecting Kogi to Niger State.
“The waterway linking Kogi and Niger State is becoming increasingly dangerous as a result of frequent boat accidents,” he said.
The governor urged the relevant authorities to implement safety measures to reduce the risks of water transportation across the country. He extended his condolences to the victims’ families and promised that the government would assist the injured in their recovery.
Fatimah Quadri is a Journalist and a Fact-checker at The ICIR. She has written news articles, fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy in an effort to combat information disorder.
She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org