Kogi Boat Mishap: 24 Rescued, 14 Dead, 42 Missing - NEMA
Last update: October 2, 2025
Disclaimer: This website may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. We only recommend products or services that we personally use and believe will add value to our readers. Your support is appreciated!
A boat carrying about 80 passengers capsized on the River Niger; rescue efforts are ongoing as officials confirm 14 dead and dozens still missing.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that 24 passengers were rescued, 14 bodies recovered, and 42 people are still missing after a boat capsized on the River Niger in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.
CBI News reports that the accident occurred on Tuesday evening, around 5:40 p.m., involving a boat carrying about 80 passengers travelling from Onugwa community to Olushi village.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, NEMA said the rescue operation is ongoing, with local divers and multiple emergency agencies involved in the search effort.
These include the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, the Local Emergency Management Committee in Ibaji, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Fire Service, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, and community volunteers.
Boat mishaps are a recurring tragedy in Nigeria’s riverine areas, often caused by overloading, poor boat maintenance, and weak enforcement of safety regulations.
NEMA said earlier reports had put the death toll at 26, but after further verification, 14 fatalities have been confirmed. The agency said updates will continue as rescue efforts progress.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed condolences to the government and people of Kogi State over the incident.
