At least, 381 northerners across seven states have lost their lives to boat mishaps since the beginning of this year, findings by WikkiTimes revealed. The incidents happened in Adamawa, Kebbi, Kwara, Kano, Nasarawa Niger, Taraba, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The boat mishaps have occurred in different states of the region where water transportation has been an alternative, following the removal of fuel subsidy, especially. Although some communities in the region can only be accessed using waterways, locals therefore resort to the use of speedboats and other means of water transportation.
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The latest boat accident in Taraba State claimed at least 20 people, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Niger is reported to be one of the worst hit by the incident of the boat mishap in June 2023. A boat carrying dozen people capsized near Mokwa, Niger State, claiming 108 lives
In October, 22 travellers lost their lives in Kasabu village of Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The state management agency confirmed the number of victims, but there was no official statement on the total casualties.
The figures bring the total to 150 casualties in Niger State.
In Kebbi State, 2023 has been a year to remember for the families of victims of different boat accidents. In October, 30 people drowned after a boat capsized in the Yauri local government area of the state.
Earlier in January, a boat carrying business women and men in Koko Local Government of Kebbi State was carrying 15 people who were confirmed dead after the incident.
It was a gloomy May for the families of a would-be bride and seven other voyagers who were trapped in a boat accident on their way to scout for potable water.
In April 2023, Kano State witnessed its own share of boat mishaps at Kanwa Dam, Madobi LGA where five people were confirmed dead.
In Adamawa State, a boat carrying 23 people capsized at Njuwa Lake in Yola South Local Government of Adamawa State, killing at least 15 people.
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Two days later, 11 people were confirmed dead in another boat accident in Adamawa.
Recently, 100 locals drowned in Taraba and 20 bodies were reportedly recovered after the accident. Also, in Sokoto, 15 people were reportedly killed in a river at Dandeji village of Shagari Local Government Area. The accident involved girls who were on their way to fetch firewood.
In June 2023, 100 people who were described as wedding guests in Egbu village in Patigi Local Government of Kwara state lost their lives after the water waves caused a boat mishap in the state
Also in August, 12 people reportedly died after a boat mishap at Kogi Kungra Kamfani in Arikiya, Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
