Incident Overview
A boat capsized along the in , leading to at least 27 confirmed deaths and over 100 missing, predominantly women, as they were en route to a food market.
The incident occurred with approximately 200 passengers aboard, traveling from to Niger state. Rescues recovered 27 bodies by Friday evening, with local divers continuing the search.
Contributing Factors and Responses
Preliminary reports suggest the boat may have been overloaded, a common issue in 's remote areas due to insufficient road infrastructure. Overcrowding and poor boat maintenance are frequent causes of such accidents.
Challenges in locating the capsizing site and the enforcement of safety measures, including the use of life jackets, have been highlighted. Authorities struggle with enforcement due to the lack of resources and the boats' design, which often disregards safety regulations.