The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 30 people lost their lives in the tragic boat accident that occurred in the Gausawa community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The agency revealed that 58 passengers were rescued from the tragedy, and one more dead was discovered.
The disaster occurred on September 2, 2025, as a boat carrying approximately 90 passengers traveled along a water channel near Gausawa.
Manzo Ezekiel, the head of NEMA’s press unit, announced this in a press statement on Thursday.
Boat accidents continue to be a frequent tragedy in Nigeria, particularly in regions where water transit is the primary mode of transportation. Many of these accidents are the result of overloading, lax enforcement of safety laws, the employment of unstable vessels, and insufficient life-saving equipment.
In Niger State and other parts of the country, such incidents have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years, emphasizing the critical need for stricter safety standards, greater canal surveillance, and community understanding of safe boating practices.
The statement provided an update on the disaster, stating that NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has urged the agency’s Minna activities office to accelerate current search and rescue activities.
“Witnesses at the scene of the incident revealed that about 90 persons were onboard the ill-fated vessel. So far, 58 passengers have been rescued, while over 30 lives have been lost as one additional body was recovered this afternoon. Several other passengers remain unaccounted for, with search and rescue efforts still ongoing.
“Initial investigations indicate that the mishap was caused by overloading of the vessel, compounded by a collision with a tree stump along the water channel.
“The Niger State Emergency Management Agency is leading the rescue operation alongside other stakeholders, including the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, local divers, and community volunteers,” the agency said.
It stated that NEMA is working closely with stakeholders to ensure a consistent and organized response.
