At least 25 people are feared dead following a tragic boat accident in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

 The mishap occurred around 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, in the Gunu community, as passengers traveled to the Kwata-Zumba weekly market.

The ill-fated boat, reportedly overloaded with traders and farm produce, capsized midway through the journey.

Confirming the incident, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Arah, stated: “NSEMA has received a report of a boat mishap which occurred today around 11:45 a.m. when a boat loaded with commodities and an unspecified number of passengers capsized.”

Arah disclosed that a joint rescue team comprising NSEMA officials, local divers, and community volunteers was swiftly mobilized to the scene. Some passengers, including the boat driver, were rescued, and one victim is receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Kuta, headquarters of Shiroro LGA.

“As of the time of this report, the number of casualties remains unconfirmed as the search and rescue operation is ongoing,” he said.

The traditional ruler of Zumba, Sarkin Ruwa Umar Isah, confirmed the tragedy, estimating that about 25 people may have died, including 10 from a single family. He also revealed that five members of another family are still missing.

The exact number of passengers aboard remains unknown, as no manifest was maintained by the boat operator.