The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Police Command has arraigned two men, Musa Dangana and Yakubu Dangana, before a Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged negligence and conspiracy leading to a boat accident in the state.
According to the police, the duo, both residents of Lokoja, jointly own a commercial wooden boat that capsized while transporting passengers from Kupa in Lokoja Local Government Area to Kacha Market in Niger State. The case was reported by Engr. Titus Adoga, the NIWA Lokoja Area Manager, to the Commandant of the Inland Waterways Police.
The prosecutor, Mr. Gabriel Otowu, told the court that on November 29, 2024, at about 5:45 a.m., the defendants ferried 60 passengers without life jackets and disregarded weather conditions despite multiple warnings. The journey ended in tragedy when the boat struck a submerged log, causing it to capsize and resulting in casualties.
Following an investigation, the police arrested the two men and charged them with criminal conspiracy, negligent conduct, and failure to exercise vigilance, offenses that contravene Section 97 (2) and 196 of the Kogi State Penal Code, as well as Section 7 of the Inland Waterways Transportation Code 2023.
Defense counsel Mr. Zakari Useni requested bail for the defendants, citing Sections 156, 160, and 163 of the Kogi State Criminal Justice Law. Chief Magistrate Abdullahi Musa-Mopa granted bail at N100,000 each, requiring a Level 14 civil servant as a surety, who must be a resident of Lokoja.
The case has been adjourned to March 20, 2025, for further hearing.