The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed that a boat carrying over 300 passengers capsized on the River Niger near the Gbajibo community in Mokwa Local Government Area on the evening of October 1, 2024.
The agency reported that so far, around 150 passengers have been rescued, while efforts continue to locate the remaining victims. The tragic incident occurred at approximately 8:30 pm when the boat, which had set sail from the Mundi community, capsized upstream near Jebba Dam.
NSEMA’s Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, revealed in a statement that the passengers, mostly women and children, were travelling for a Maulid celebration at Gbajibo. The emergency response is being coordinated by NSEMA, with support from the State Ministry of Transport, the Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and volunteers from nearby communities.
“Thanks to the prompt response from community volunteers, over 150 persons have been rescued alive so far,” the agency said. The search and rescue operation is ongoing, and authorities promise to keep the public updated as more survivors are found.
