Kebbi boat disaster

Last updated
2021 Nigeria boat accident
Nigeria Kebbi State map.png
Date26 May 2021
Time8:15 am
Location Niger River near Warrah, Nigeria
Coordinates 10°12′N4°33′E / 10.2°N 4.55°E / 10.2; 4.55
Type Shipwreck
CauseCollision with object
ParticipantsCrew and passengers (150[ citation needed ])
Deaths98 bodies found, others remained missing

On 26 May 2021, an overloaded and overcrowded vessel carrying at least 160 passengers broke into two and sank after hitting an object in the Nigerian part of the Niger River. [1] [2] [3] The boat was travelling between Niger State and Wara in Kebbi State when it sank. The incident left at least 98 dead. [4]

Contents

Background

Nigerian waterways have become increasingly dangerous in recent years, with various organizations estimating that between 150 and 350 deaths occurred in 2020 alone. [5] In May 2021, 30 people died when a boat carrying 100 passengers hit a stump and broke in two in Niger State. In July 2020, another boat sank in Benue State with nearly 30 people on board, and seven people died when a boat sank amidst heavy rain near Lagos, followed by eight deaths in a separate boat incident a month later. [5]

Accident

On 26 May 2021, an overloaded boat carrying between 150 and 200 passengers departed from the village of Lokon Minna in central Niger State to a market in Warrah in Kebbi State on the other side of the Niger River. Between 8:15 am and 8:20 am, the boat struck an object in the river, which caused it to quickly break into two pieces and sink. Most of the passengers on board the boat were women and children who were travelling to Warrah to sell food at a market, as well as some miners. [1] [2] [6] [7] [8]

The boat had picked up passengers at unregulated locations along the river as opposed to an official jetty, likely in order to evade taxes, and because of this the true number of passengers on board the boat was not known. [2] The craft was an old wooden boat that had a capacity of between 80 and 150 passengers. In addition to the passengers, the boat was also carrying a cargo of sandbags from a gold mine. [2] [6] [9]

Between 22 and 26 passengers were rescued shortly after the incident, followed by the recovery of 76 bodies. Marine Police, local fishermen, and divers were involved in the rescue and recovery operation. The remaining passengers were not found and were presumed dead. [5] [6] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Aftermath

Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari offered his condolences to the families of the victims. [2] [14]

Many Nigerian organizations donated funds for the families of the victims. The Nigerian Governors' Forum donated 50 million nairas to the families of the victims. [15] The governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, promised 11 million nairas for the victims' families. [13]

A number of organizations criticized the government over the increasing number of boat accidents, blaming them on a lack of enforcement of safety regulations. [5] The president of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents suggested that the government should buy ferries in order to guarantee safety to the public. [5] The Emir of Yauri, Muhammad Zayyanu, asked the government to dredge the Niger River and ensure that every boat operator had enough life jackets for each passenger. [10] The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria described the incident as a "national tragedy" and an "embarrassment to the nation" and called on the government to map rivers, dredge rivers, and remove old wrecks. [16]

Representing the government, the National Inland Waterways Authority blamed the operators of the ferry for overloading the boat and violating safety regulations. [5] The authority promised to enforce safety regulations such as ensuring that boats have enough life jackets for each passenger on board and banning ferries from operating at night. [5] On June 3, the NIWA announced a mandatory training course for all boat operators, granting the title of "certified captain" to those who complete the course. [17] The governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, promised to conduct a review of maritime laws in order to prevent future accidents. [10] [12] The Niger State police asked all boat operators to comply with safety regulations, including life jackets, and adhering to maximum boat capacities. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argungu Fishing Festival</span>

The Argungu Fishing Festival or Argungu Dance Festival is an annual four-day festival in Kebbi State and other northern states like Niger in the north-western part of Northern Nigeria. The region is made up of fertile river areas of (matanfada, mala with much irrigation and orchards. The majority of inhabitants are fishermen who are practitioners of Isla religion. They also have Kanta Museum. The Museum is the main historical centre in Argungu for visitors across the globe. People from around the world travel to Argungu just to witness the occasion. The main purpose of the Argungu fishing festival is for fishing and unity. The festival is usually a 4-days cultural event

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kebbi State</span> State of Nigeria

Kebbi State is a state in the northwestern Nigeria, Kebbi State is bordered east and north of Sokoto and Zamfara states, and to the south by Niger state while its western border forms part of the national borders with Benin Republic and Niger. Named for the city of Birnin Kebbi—the state's capital and largest city, Kebbi state was formed from Sokoto state on 27 August 1991. Of the 36 states of Nigeria, Kebbi is the tenth largest in area and 22nd most populous, with an estimated population of about 4.4 million as of 2016. The state is known as land of equity.

The 2009 Gianh River boat accident occurred on 25 January 2009 on the Gianh River near Quảng Hải Village, in the Quảng Trạch District of Quảng Bình Province in Vietnam. A wooden boat sank 20 meters from the shore in strong currents during windy conditions. There were reportedly over 80 people on board, yet the boat was capable of carrying only 20. The accident caused 42 deaths and five people were missing. The Prime Minister of Vietnam sent his condolences to the victims' families. The government of Quảng Bình Province decided to cancel the fireworks supposed to take place at midnight the same day, on the eve of Tết, the New Year Day in Vietnam.

Abubakar Atiku Bagudu is a Nigerian politician who is the current Nigerian minister of budget and national planning. He served as governor of Kebbi State from 2015 to 2023. He also served as the senator representing the Kebbi Central senatorial district from 2009 to 2015.

This article is about the particular significance of the year 2005 to Nigeria and its people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abubakar Malami</span> Nigerian politician and lawyer (born 1967)

Abubakar MalamiSAN, is a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation from 2015 to 2023.

Events in the year 2017 in Nigeria.

Events in the year 2018 in Nigeria.

Joseph Blankson, also known as Joe Blankson, was a Nigerian contractor who died while saving 13 victims of a boat accident on the Abonnema-Bakana waterway in Rivers State on 28 July 2018.

The 2019 Kebbi State gubernatorial election occurred in Nigeria on March 9, 2019. Incumbent APC Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu won re-election for a second term, defeating Isa Galaudu of the PDP.

The 2015 Kebbi State gubernatorial election was the 7th gubernatorial election of Kebbi State. Held on April 11, 2015, the All Progressives Congress nominee Abubakar Atiku Bagudu won the election, defeating Bello Sarkin Yaki of the People's Democratic Party.

The 2023 Kebbi State gubernatorial election will take place on 18 March 2023, to elect the Governor of Kebbi State, concurrent with elections to the Kebbi State House of Assembly as well as twenty-seven other gubernatorial elections and elections to all other state houses of assembly. The election—which was postponed from its original 11 March date—will be held three weeks after the presidential election and National Assembly elections. Incumbent APC Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term.

The 2011 Nigerian Senate election in Kebbi State was held on April 9, 2011, to elect members of the Nigerian Senate to represent Kebbi State. Isah Mohammed Galaudu representing Kebbi North, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu representing Kebbi Central and Mohammed Magoro representing Kebbi South all won on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party.

On 30 November 2021, a severely overloaded boat carrying more than 50 people, mostly children aged between 8 and 15, capsized on the Watari Dam in Kano State, Nigeria. At least 29 are confirmed dead and 13 more are missing.

Events in the year 2022 in Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Kebbi State</span> 2023 Senate elections in Kebbi

The 2023 Nigerian Senate elections in Kebbi State will be held on 25 February 2023, to elect the 3 federal Senators from Kebbi State, one from each of the state's three senatorial districts. The elections will coincide with the 2023 presidential election, as well as other elections to the Senate and elections to the House of Representatives; with state elections being held two weeks later. Primaries were held between 4 April and 9 June 2022.

The Ogbaru boat disaster, also called the Ogbaru boat mishap or Anambra boat mishap, was the accidental sinking of a boat on the Niger River in Nigeria on 7 October 2022, causing 76 deaths. It took place during the 2022 Nigeria floods.

Events in the year 2023 in Nigeria.

On 12 June 2023, a vessel capsized and split in two in the Niger River near Pategi, Kwara State, Nigeria. The boat was carrying attendees of a wedding, who came initially on motorcycles, but were stranded due to heavy rain. At least 108 people have been confirmed dead. Dozens are missing.

References

  1. 1 2 The Associated Press (28 May 2021), At least 60 killed in Nigeria boat accident, dozens more feared dead, CBC
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nigeria: Thirty bodies found after boat accident in Kebbi state", www.bbc.co.uk, BBC News, May 27, 2021
  3. ↑ Aminu Abubakar (26 May 2021). "More than 150 feared drowned in Nigeria boat tragedy". uk.finance.yahoo.com. Yahoo! Finance.
  4. ↑ "Death toll in Nigeria from boat accident climbs to 98". primanews.org. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Salau, Sulaimon (2 June 2021). "Worries as death toll rises on Nigeria's inland waters". Guardian.ng. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 "More than 150 feared drowned in Nigeria boat tragedy". Guardian.ng. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "Boat mishap: Zamfara condoles Kebbi, donates N30m". Punch Nigeria. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  8. ↑ Altine, Maiharaji; Olugbemi, Adeniyi; Nwisagbo, Lesi (28 May 2021). "48 bodies recovered as search intensifies for Kebbi boat victims". Punch Nigeria. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 Oladipo, Adelowo (28 May 2021). "Police Call On Boat Operators In Niger To Ensure Safety Precautions While On Transit". Nigerian Tribune English. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  10. 1 2 3 "Boat mishap: Kebbi Government to review extant maritime laws". Guardian.ng. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  11. ↑ Sabiu, Muhammad (28 May 2021). "48 Dead Bodies Recovered From Kebbi Boat Accident". Nigerian Tribune English. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  12. 1 2 "Boat mishap: Kebbi to review maritime laws, says Bagudu". Punch Nigeria. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  13. 1 2 Altine, Maiharaji; Abraham, James (29 May 2021). "Kebbi boat accident: Northern govs mourn as death toll hits 76". Punch Nigeria. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  14. ↑ Angbulu, Stephen (26 May 2021). "Kebbi boat accident: Buhari consoles families of victims". Punch Nigeria. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  15. ↑ Baba, Ahmadu Idris; Kebbi, Birnin (3 June 2021). "Bereaved families of Kebbi boat mishap get relief". Guardian.ng. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  16. ↑ Adenubi, Tola (3 June 2021). "Boat Operators Expect More Accidents, Deaths Along Malele-Kebbi Waterways". Nigerian Tribune English. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  17. ↑ Adenubi, Tola (3 June 2021). "Mishaps: NIWA To Commence Training For Boat Captains, Skippers". Nigerian Tribune English. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.