Fifteen more bodies have been recovered from the boat accident that occurred last Tuesday in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State, raising the official death toll to 35.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Timothy Ojomah, confirmed the update on Wednesday, noting that close to 20 passengers were still missing. He explained that the ill-fated boat was carrying between 80 and 82 people when it capsized.
According to him, 46 passengers were rescued immediately after the incident.The vessel, said to be overloaded with traders and residents travelling for the October 1 festivities, left Onugwa community in Ibaji and was headed to Ilushi market before it overturned on the River Niger. Locals said many of the victims had also attended a burial in Onugwa before embarking on the journey.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the boat was packed with people returning for both the burial and the market day celebration. Community members described seeing only a handful of survivors while several others remained trapped under the river.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) released a separate account on Thursday, stating that 24 passengers had been rescued, 14 bodies recovered, and 42 people remained unaccounted for. NEMA said the accident occurred around 5:40 p.m. on September 30 along the Onugwa–Olushi route.
Rescue efforts are ongoing with the support of community divers, the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, the Civil Defence Corps, the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Red Cross, and other emergency groups.
NEMA’s Director-General, Zubaida Umar, deployed officials to assist, while the agency’s Abuja operations head visited the traditional ruler of Onugwa, Chief Patrick Arome, to commiserate with the community.
The agency also called for stricter enforcement of safety measures such as life jackets and compliance with passenger limits on water transport.President Bola Tinubu has expressed sorrow over the tragedy, describing it as deeply painful.
He urged boat operators to prioritise safety and praised first responders for their efforts in helping survivors and families of the victims.