Dozens of boat passengers were reported missing and feared drowned after a boat mishap in North-West Nigeria. The boat which initially left Central Niger was heading to Northwest Kebbi State when it sank after slitting in two.

Passengers drown in Niger State Nigeria boat mishap.

The administrative district head of Ngaski, Abdullahi Buhari Wara stated that “A rescue operation is underway but only 22 survivors and one dead body have been recovered,” Wara said. “We are talking of around 140 passengers still missing.”

Boat mishaps are often common in Nigerian waterways. This is mostly due to overcrowding and lack of maintenance of such boats. Incidents are more rampant in the annual rainy season.

Abdullahi Buhari Wara thus blamed the Kebbi accident on overloading. The boat incidentally was designed to ferry not more than 80 passengers.