Tragedy struck on Tuesday, October 2, 2024 evening in Niger State as a boat carrying over 300 passengers, mostly women and children, capsized during a Maulid celebration journey, leaving at least 150 people feared missing.
The ill-fated vessel was traveling from Mundi Community to Gbajibo Community in Mokwa Local Government Area when it met its demise around 8:30 pm along the River Niger, upstream of Jebba Dam.
The horrifying incident occurred during what was supposed to be a joyous religious occasion, as residents from Mundi Community traveled to the nearby Gbajibo Community to celebrate the Maulid festival, which commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. But the festive journey turned into a nightmare when the overcrowded boat capsized in the treacherous waters of the River Niger, near Jebba Dam.
According to eyewitness accounts, the boat, packed beyond capacity with passengers eager to partake in the festival, struggled to remain stable. As it approached Gbajibo, disaster struck around 8:30 PM, sending hundreds of passengers plunging into the river's dark and swift currents.
Confirming the incident, Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Director General Alhaji Absullahi Baba-Arah on Wednesday revealed that rescue efforts are underway to locate more survivors.
"We received a report of a boat accident that occurred on the night of October 1, 2024," Baba-Arah stated. "The boat, transporting about 300 passengers, mainly women and children from Mundi Community, was en route to Gbajibo for the Maulid celebration."
“NSEMA is coordinating search and rescue operations in partnership with the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and other community volunteers.
"Thanks to the swift response of the local volunteers, over 150 persons have been rescued alive so far.”
Baba-Arah assured that the search and rescue operation is ongoing, with further updates to be provided to the public as more survivors are located.
While the cause of the accident is still being investigated, early reports suggest the boat was grossly overloaded, a common but dangerous practice in many riverine areas of Nigeria. Such accidents have become tragically frequent, with overcrowded vessels often capsizing in the nation’s waterways, leading to devastating loss of life.
As the search for survivors enters its critical phase, local and state authorities are working tirelessly to locate those still missing. Volunteers, divers, and emergency responders are braving the challenging river conditions to rescue those clinging to life.
