At least 25 people, including 10 members of one family, lost their lives in a tragic boat accident on Saturday in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The mishap happened around 11:45 a.m. in Gunu community as passengers were traveling to the Kwata-Zumba weekly market. Reports indicate that the boat, heavily loaded with farm produce and traders, capsized midway through the trip.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement by its Director General, Abdullahi Arah.
“NSEMA received a report of a boat mishap today, July 26, 2025, around 11:45 a.m., involving a boat carrying goods and an unspecified number of passengers en route to Kwata-Zumba Market. The vessel overturned with its occupants,” Arah said.
He explained that a combined rescue team of NSEMA officers, local divers, and volunteers was dispatched immediately to recover bodies and search for survivors. Some passengers, including the boat operator, were rescued, while one person is receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Kuta, Shiroro LGA headquarters.
“As of now, the exact casualty figure cannot be confirmed because the rescue operation is still ongoing,” Arah added.
The traditional leader of Zumba, Sarkin Ruwa Umar Isah, also confirmed the accident and estimated about 25 deaths. He revealed that one family lost 10 members, while another family reported five people missing.
According to him, the actual number of passengers remains unknown as no manifest was kept.
