The boat was travelling from Kogi state to neighbouring Niger state early on Friday morning when the incident occurred, according to Ibrahim Audu, a spokesperson for the Niger State Emergency Management Agency.
Local media reported that at least eight people were confirmed dead at the scene, with local divers working to rescue others. Eyewitness accounts cited by Channels Television suggested the boat was carrying over 200 passengers, raising concerns that it may have been overloaded. Overcrowding is a common issue in Nigeria’s remote areas, where poor road infrastructure often leaves water transport as the only option.
