Niger boat tragedy prompts Atiku Abubakar to demand urgent reforms in Nigeria’s waterway safety after 29 lives lost

Niger boat tragedy has drawn national mourning, with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar expressing deep sorrow over the lives lost in the devastating accident that occurred in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Also read: Presidency backs EFCC in crackdown on Atiku’s son-in-law

In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Atiku described the incident as “a painful reminder” of Nigeria’s persistent failures in ensuring safety across its inland waterways.

The accident, which happened on Monday, claimed at least 29 lives, many of them women and children.

The tragedy unfolded in the Gausawa community of Malale Ward when a wooden boat, carrying around 90 passengers, capsized after striking a tree stump. Preliminary reports suggest overloading may have contributed to the fatal mishap.

“This unfortunate incident highlights the recurring risks associated with water transportation in our riverine communities,” Atiku said.

“Boat travel has become an indispensable means of transportation for many Nigerians, but the lack of infrastructure and enforcement of safety standards continues to put lives at risk.”

Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stressed the urgent need for authorities to invest in water transport safety, particularly in rural and riverine areas where boats remain the only viable option for travel and trade.

This tragedy adds to a long list of preventable boat accidents in Nigeria, underscoring the critical need for regulatory oversight, proper passenger limits, and modern navigation systems to ensure safety.