How 27 Traders Died In Kwara Boat Mishap

By Ayodele Oni

Coming after few months of similar incident, another boat mishap in Kwara State has claimed no fewer than 27 lives.

The incident happened Thursday night at Gbajibo community of Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State.

Report stated that the victims were returning from a weekly market in neighbouring Niger State 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, 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.”

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,urging  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.