The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 24 passengers were rescued, 14 bodies recovered, and 42 others remain missing after a boat carrying about 80 people capsized on the River Niger in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The incident occurred around 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, while the vessel was en route from Onugwa community to Olushi village.
NEMA said its Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, activated the Abuja Operations Office immediately after receiving the distress report. A joint search-and-rescue mission involving federal and state agencies, security operatives, the Red Cross, local divers, and community volunteers is still ongoing.
So far, 24 survivors have been rescued, 14 corpses recovered, while 42 passengers remain unaccounted for.
President Bola Tinubu described the tragedy as “shocking and unfortunate,” extending condolences to the government and people of Kogi State. He urged water transport operators to enforce safety rules and prioritise passengers’ lives over profit.
Boat accidents remain frequent in Nigeria’s riverine communities, often linked to overcrowding, poorly maintained vessels, and lax enforcement of safety regulations.