Kwara boat mishap claims 37 lives
A tragic boat mishap in the Gbajibo-Mudi community of Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State has resulted in the loss of 37 lives. The incident occurred on Thursday around 6:00 p.m. and was reportedly caused by overloading.
This latest disaster follows a similar tragedy in the region that claimed over 106 lives just seven months ago. Eyewitnesses indicated that the boat was transporting approximately 150 passengers when it capsized mid-river. The victims were returning home from the market during the incident.
“Strong winds from an approaching storm contributed to the mishap. The boat, which was carrying men, women, and children, was filled far beyond its capacity. Thirty-seven people lost their lives, 49 were rescued, and the rest managed to swim to safety,” a community member stated.
In an interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, Hon. Saidu Baba, the lawmaker representing the constituency, confirmed the incident. “We visited the community on Saturday to commiserate with them, along with the Emir of the area, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Council Chairman,” he explained.
He described how the tragedy unfolded during the victims’ return journey, exacerbated by heavy rain and strong winds. “Two villages—Tungamaje and Gelewa—were affected. The Imam of Tungamaje told us that about 27 people died, including seven women and two children,” he added.
Abdullah Danladi, Chairman of Kaiama LGA, stressed that the government would take action to prevent such tragedies from recurring. “We will no longer tolerate the almost yearly recurrence of such tragedies. A committee will be established to enforce safety measures, including mandatory use of life jackets and stricter regulation of water transport,” he declared.
The Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Umar, emphasized the importance of raising awareness to ensure compliance with water travel safety protocols. He stated, “We need to intensify our campaigns to ensure that both passengers and boat operators understand and adhere to safety measures.”
Source: Daily Trust
