At Least 25 Feared Dead as Boat Capsizes in Niger State, Authorities Confirm

A boat transporting passengers to a market in north-central Nigeria capsized, killing at least 25 people, authorities said on Sunday.

The accident happened Saturday near Gumu village in the Shiroro area of Niger state.

Search and rescue efforts were underway, but are limited because armed gangs mostly control the area. He added that the number of casualties may rise.

Bandits have stepped up attacks in recent months in the north-central region, complicating rescue efforts.

Boat accidents are sadly common in many remote parts of Nigeria, especially during the rainy season. Most times, these boats are overloaded with too many passengers or goods, and many of them are old and not properly maintained.

This makes traveling by water very risky for people in rural communities who rely on boats for transport.