No fewer than 27 traders have been feared dead following a boat mishap in the Gbajibo community of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State.
The victims were returning from a weekly market in neighbouring Niger State on Thursday night when their overloaded boat capsized on the River Niger. A survivor attributed the accident to overloading and night travel—two common but unsafe practices in the area.
Chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Hon. Abdullah Danladi, confirmed the incident on Sunday. He led a delegation to condole with the affected families, describing the incident as a painful loss to the entire local government.
“We have met with the bereaved families and assured them of government’s commitment to preventing a recurrence,” he stated.
Danladi announced plans to set up a committee to enforce the mandatory use of life jackets and prohibit night-time travel on the river.
Also reacting, the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Omar, expressed grief over the tragedy, calling it both unfortunate and preventable. He urged all stakeholders to take safety regulations more seriously to avoid further calamities.
Kwara North’s riverine communities have witnessed repeated boat mishaps in recent years, often linked to weak enforcement of water transport safety rules.
