Twenty-nine people have died in a boat accident at Gausawa community, Malale ward, Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has confirmed.
According to NSEMA’s desk officer, who led the search and rescue operation, the boat departed from Tugan Sule in Shagunu ward carrying about 90 passengers, including women and children.
The passengers were reportedly en route to Dugga community for a condolence visit when the tragedy occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Preliminary findings indicate that overloading and a collision with a tree stump in the river caused the accident.
“So far, 29 bodies have been recovered, 50 persons rescued alive, while two are still missing,” the NSEMA official said