Key facts
- A boat disaster in Jigawa state, Nigeria, has resulted in at least seven deaths, with dozens feared missing.
- The accident involved a capsized wooden canoe carrying mostly female farmers and labourers.
- Overcrowding, unsafe boats, and a lack of enforcement of safety regulations are recurring causes of such tragedies in Nigeria.
- Families of victims are demanding answers and accountability from authorities, citing systemic negligence.
- Despite promises, there is a critical shortage of life jackets, and many boat operators lack proper training and licensing.
Dozens are feared dead following the capsizing of a wooden canoe in Jigawa state, Nigeria, on Sunday. The vessel was carrying mostly female farmers and labourers, with seven bodies recovered so far and 40 people believed to have been on board.
This latest tragedy adds to a grim pattern of recurring boat disasters across Nigeria. Last month, 12 people died on the River Benue, and earlier this year, 14 perished in Kebbi state. In total, over 55 lives have been lost in boat accidents this year alone, with many more bodies yet to be recovered.
For millions in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas, rivers are essential transportation routes due to poor road infrastructure and a lack of bridges. Rickety wooden boats are often the only means to reach markets, visit family, or connect with the outside world.
The predictable causes of these accidents include overcrowding, the use of unsafe boats, and a persistent failure to enforce basic safety rules, such as wearing life jackets. Despite official promises after each disaster to improve safety, little tangible change is observed on the water.
Traditional leaders like Mallam Sala Altine, responsible for safety on Shiroro Lake, highlight a critical shortage of life jackets, with boats often carrying far more passengers than available safety equipment. While authorities claim life jackets are provided, they suggest that some locals, accustomed to riverine life, refuse to wear them, citing discomfort or a false sense of security.
Safety professionals like Timothy Iwuagwu emphasize that many boat operators are untrained and unlicensed, lacking knowledge of water behaviour. He also points to the poor quality of available life jackets and the common practice of overloading boats, which is often a primary cause of capsizing.
Furthermore, submerged tree stumps in waterways, a result of poor dredging, pose hidden dangers that can lead to boats overturning. The continued reliance on old, weak wooden vessels, acknowledged by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, is seen as a direct consequence of these tragic mishaps.
While the National Inland Waterways Authority (Niwa) has mandated life jackets and registered pick-up points, these regulations, outlined in the Water Transport Code, are frequently ignored. The introduction of water marshals to oversee terminals has also been hampered by insufficient numbers to cover all locations.