President Bola Tinubu announced on Thursday an investigation into the recent series of boat accidents in Niger State.
The North Central state has experienced multiple boat mishaps over the past year, with the latest occurring on Tuesday night, resulting in the deaths of at least 60 people, primarily women and children.
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The locally made wooden boat, which has a capacity of 100 passengers, was carrying around 300 individuals when it capsized in the rural Mokwa district, according to an emergency official on Wednesday.
Two days after the tragic incident, President Tinubu expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and extended his sympathies to the Niger State Government.
He has instructed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the alarming trend of boat accidents in Niger State and nationwide and to develop strategies to address the issue.
“President Tinubu commiserates with the families of the victims and prays for the repose of the souls of the dead,” a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, read.
“The President directs the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the spate of boat accidents in Niger state and across the country and devise modalities to check the trend.
“He orders NIWA to expand the scope of its surveillance of inland waters to ensure our people’s safety and prosecute boat operators violating the ban on night sailing.
“President Tinubu thanked emergency workers and local divers who were working to find the remaining people,” the statement read.
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