The people of Ibaji in Kogi State are in mourning after a tragic boat mishap on the River Niger claimed at least 26 lives on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The accident occurred between Onugwa village in Ibaji Local Government Area and Ilushi (Ojigono) in neighboring Edo State, leaving families devastated and several others still missing.
According to reports, the ill-fated boat, packed with farmers, traders, and visitors returning from the bustling Ilushi market, capsized around 4:30 p.m. Rescue efforts recovered 26 bodies within hours, but the true toll of the disaster remains uncertain as search operations continue.
Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Elder Simon Achuba, has joined the chorus of grief, describing the tragedy as a “huge loss to Kogi State, Ibaji Local Government, and Onugwa village in particular.”
In a condolence message, Achuba lamented that many of the victims left their homes with hopes of reuniting with their families after a day’s trade, but never returned. “They are now lying lifeless beneath the River Niger,” he said somberly.
Beyond sympathy, Achuba used the moment to press the state government on what he described as Ibaji’s long-standing neglect. He called for the urgent construction of the Ibaji road, which he said would reduce the community’s overreliance on water transport for commercial and daily activities.
“With the 13% oil derivation since Kogi was listed among oil-producing states, there is enough to build Ibaji road,” he argued. “It is time for the government to act responsibly.”
He also urged engine boat operators in the area to prioritize safety measures in their daily business, stressing that lives should not be continually lost to preventable mishaps.
Achuba extended his condolences to the families of the victims, praying for God’s strength to help them bear the “irreparable loss.” He also reached out to the traditional ruler of Onugwa, the Onu Ibaji, HRH Chief John Egwemi; the Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Ugeh; and the entire Ibaji community.
The Onugwa tragedy has once again highlighted the precarious realities of riverine communities in Nigeria, where poor infrastructure, unsafe transport, and government neglect often combine to turn daily survival into a gamble.
For Ibaji, the grief is raw, but the demand is clear: roads that connect, infrastructure that protects, and governance that truly listens.