Following the capsizing of a wooden boat in Kogi State, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced its commitment to investigate the incident thoroughly and prosecute those responsible for violating waterway regulations. The tragedy occurred early Friday morning in the waters of Ebe Community, Kupa South Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Friday, NIWA revealed that an emergency rescue team has been dispatched to search for missing passengers. Preliminary findings indicate that the boat, heading to Katcha Market in Niger State, capsized due to poor visibility and overloading. Details of lives lost remain unconfirmed at this time.
NIWA stated that the wooden boat departed an abandoned jetty at 1 a.m. in an apparent attempt to evade the agency’s heightened surveillance efforts. The boat was operated by an unidentified individual and carried an undetermined number of passengers.
To uncover the specifics of the incident, including the number of passengers, ownership of the vessel, and the exact cause of the accident, NIWA has established a special panel. The agency also confirmed that its management team is overseeing the rescue operations and ensuring that survivors receive immediate medical attention.
NIWA’s Managing Director, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, expressed shock and dismay at the accident, which occurred despite ongoing efforts to raise public awareness about waterway safety. He emphasized the agency’s determination to enforce accountability through legal channels.
“This incident is particularly disheartening as it comes just months after we launched the National Waterways Transportation Code and engaged with communities to implement strategies aimed at preventing such tragedies,” Oyebamiji said.
The NIWA MD assured the public that more information would be made available once the investigation is concluded. He reiterated the agency’s resolve to prosecute the boat’s captain and owner for willful disregard of waterway safety regulations.
“NIWA will investigate this accident and prosecute the boat captain and owner for deliberate disobedience to the extant law on waterways,” Oyebamiji affirmed.
