At least 54 bodies have been recovered from the tragic boat accident involving around 200 traders in Kogi State. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) disclosed the updated death toll on Saturday, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
Justin Uwazuruonye, NEMA’s Head of Operations for Kogi State, confirmed the grim statistics, stating, “The figure of the recovered bodies as of today (Saturday), according to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and NEMA, is 54. They were recovered dead.”
Uwazuruonye revealed that the exact number of passengers on the ill-fated boat remains unknown due to the lack of a passenger manifest. “It was a night journey, and none of them had life jackets on,” he added.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) had earlier confirmed the accident, which occurred on Friday. According to Suleman Makama, NIWA’s Head of Media, the traders were traveling to a market in Niger State when the boat capsized along the Dambo-Ebuchi section of the River Niger.
Governor Ododo Calls for Enhanced Safety on Waterways
Reacting to the tragedy, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo expressed deep sorrow over the incident, particularly noting that most of the victims were women, petty traders, and artisans engaged in legitimate businesses.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismail Isah, the governor highlighted the increasing dangers associated with the waterway connecting Kogi and Niger states. “The waterway linking Kogi and Niger State is becoming increasingly dangerous as a result of frequent boat accidents,” he said.
Governor Ododo called for inter-agency collaboration to improve safety standards and emergency response on the nation’s waterways. “Efforts should be made through inter-agency collaboration to prevent further accidents and coordinate emergency response,” he emphasized.
The governor also extended condolences to the families of the victims and pledged support for those injured in the accident. “The government will ensure that those injured receive the necessary support for their recovery,” he assured.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures, including the use of life jackets and stricter regulations to prevent such disasters in the future.
