At least 25 people are feared dead after a tragic boat accident occurred on Saturday morning in the Gunu community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Among the casualties were 10 members of the same family, while several others remain missing.
The incident happened around 11:45 a.m. as the passengers were travelling to the Kwata-Zumba weekly market. The wooden boat, which was said to be overloaded with people and farm produce, capsized midway through the journey, plunging its occupants into the river.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba Arah, confirmed the accident in a statement issued to journalists in Minna through the Director of Information and Special Duties, Dr. Ibrahim Hussaini.
“NSEMA has received a report of a boat mishap incident which occurred today (yesterday), 26th July 2025, around 11:45 am when a boat loaded with commodities and an unspecified number of passengers heading towards Kwata, Zumba Market, capsized along with its occupants,” Arah stated.
According to him, a rescue operation was swiftly activated, involving officials from NSEMA, local divers, and volunteers from the surrounding communities. Some passengers, including the boat operator, were rescued alive. However, many others are still missing.
“As of the time of filing this report, the number of casualties could not be confirmed nor ascertained, as the search and rescue operation is still ongoing by NSEMA desk officers, local divers, and volunteers,” Arah added.
He also confirmed that one of the survivors is receiving medical treatment at the General Hospital in Kuta, the administrative headquarters of Shiroro LGA.
The Sarkin Ruwa of Zumba, Umar Isah, also confirmed the incident and said most of the victims were traders travelling to the busy Zumba market.
He stated that one family lost ten members in the incident, while another reported five members still missing.
“Although the boat operator could not state the exact number of passengers, we estimate that about 25 people lost their lives in the mishap. Many others are still missing and unaccounted for,” Mr Isah said.
He explained that the boat capsized after hitting a tree trunk submerged beneath the water’s surface.
As rescue efforts continue, local authorities and residents have urged the government to enforce safety rules on waterways to help prevent similar accidents and improve emergency response.
