At least 29 people have died in a boat accident that occurred on Tuesday in Gausawa village, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The ill-fated boat, which was carrying more than 90 passengers, was reportedly heading to Dugga community for a condolence visit when it capsized around 11:30 a.m.
29 Killed In Fresh Niger Boat Mishap
Confirming the incident, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, said a search and rescue operation had been launched to recover victims.
29 Killed In Fresh Niger Boat Mishap
He said, “NSEMA has received a report of a boat mishap incident at a community called Gausawa in the Malale area/ward of Borgu LGA.
“According to our desk officer who led the search and rescue operations, the boat took off from a community called Tugan Sule in Shagunu ward with 90 people on board which includes women and children on the boat heading to Dugga for a condolence visit.”
29 Killed In Fresh Niger Boat Mishap
Baba-Arah explained that the mishap was caused by overloading and a collision with a tree stump.
He added, “The incident happened yesterday, 2nd September 2025 at about 11:30am and the cause was attributed to overloading and collision with a tree stomp.
“As at the time of filling this report 29 dead bodies have been recovered with 50 persons rescued alive while 2 people are still missing.
29 Killed In Fresh Niger Boat Mishap
“Search and rescue operations are still ongoing for possible recovery of missing persons.”
The tragedy comes barely a month after a similar boat mishap in Shiroro Local Government Area claimed 25 lives, including 10 members of the same family, on July 27, 2025.
