Unrelated photo o a boat mishap
By Deborah Nnamdi
At least 25 people are feared dead after a boat capsized in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday, with 10 members of a single family among the victims.
The accident occurred around 11:45 a.m. in the Gunu community as the boat, heavily loaded with passengers and farm produce, was en route to the weekly Kwata-Zumba market. Midway through the journey, the vessel capsized, throwing its occupants into the water.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement from its Director General, Abdullahi Arah.
“NSEMA has received a report of a boat mishap incident which occurred today, 26th July 2025, around 11:45 a.m. The boat, carrying goods and an unspecified number of passengers to the Kwata-Zumba market, capsized along the route,” Arah stated.
Arah said a rescue operation was promptly launched, involving NSEMA officials, local divers, and community volunteers. Several passengers, including the boat operator, were rescued. However, search efforts for remaining victims are ongoing.
“As of the time of this report, the exact number of casualties has not been confirmed. Rescue teams are still working to recover bodies and search for any possible survivors,” he added.
One of the rescued victims is currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro LGA.
Adding to the tragedy, the traditional leader of Zumba, Sarkin Ruwa Umar Isah, said approximately 25 people are believed to have died, including an entire family of 10. Another family reported five members still missing. He also noted that the total number of passengers remains unknown, as no passenger manifest was recorded by the boat operator.
