The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed the rescue of more than 100 passengers following a tragic boat mishap in Niger State. The wooden boat, carrying about 200 passengers, capsized late at night around 8:30 p.m. while traveling from Gbajibo Mudi to New Gbajibo.

In a preliminary statement issued earlier today, NIWA described the incident as unfortunate, citing early investigations that suggest the mishap was likely caused by overloading. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities continue searching for more survivors across different parts of the water channel.

NIWA has issued a strong warning to boat operators, urging them to adhere strictly to safety regulations, including avoiding overloading and nighttime travel, to prevent future accidents. The Authority emphasized its commitment to improving safety measures on Nigeria’s inland waterways and reducing the frequency of such incidents.