At least 27 people have lost their lives in a boat accident in the Gbajibo community of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State — the latest in a series of deadly mishaps in the region.
The tragedy occurred three nights ago as passengers were returning from a market in neighboring Niger State. Survivors blamed the accident on overloading and strong winds from an approaching storm.
The incident comes just seven months after a similar accident in the same area claimed around 100 lives.
Chairman of Kaiama LGA, Abdullah Danladi, who led a delegation to commiserate with bereaved families, condemned the recurring tragedies and announced immediate steps to improve safety. These include the establishment of a committee to enforce the use of life jackets, ban night travel, and introduce stricter water transport regulations.
Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Umar, also pledged intensified awareness campaigns to ensure boat operators and passengers adhere to safety protocols.
The October 2023 incident involved a wooden boat meant to carry 100 people but overloaded with about 300 passengers, mostly women and children. That disaster prompted President Bola Tinubu to direct the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate boat accidents nationwide and propose lasting solutions.
The latest mishap has once again raised questions about enforcement, safety compliance, and the government’s capacity to prevent such avoidable tragedies.
