The Niger State Government has confirmed the death of 29 persons in a boat mishap that occurred on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, around Gausawa Community in Shagunu Ward, Borgu Local Government Area.
The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, in its final report, said the ill-fated boat departed Tugan Sule in Malale Ward and was heading to Dugga Community for a condolence visit when it capsized at about 11:30 am.
According to the report, the boat, which had about 90 passengers on board, including women and children, struck the undergrowth remains of a tree in the river, leading to the tragedy. Fifty passengers were rescued.
Rescue efforts were jointly carried out by the Ministry, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and professional as well as local divers.
Spokesman of the Ministry, Habib Wushishi, quoted the Permanent Secretary, Barrister Mairo Mohammed Mann, as saying that all recovered bodies had been buried, while survivors received treatment and were reunited with their families.
“It is heartbreaking that none of the passengers, whether deceased or rescued, wore life jackets at the time of the incident.
This underscores the urgent need for strict enforcement of water safety regulations across Niger State,” Mann said.
She also conveyed the Ministry’s condolences, alongside those of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, to the families of the victims, the people of Borgu Local Government, and the entire state.
The Ministry further assured that measures will be strengthened to ensure compliance with waterway safety regulations in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.
