LAGOS: A boat accident on the Niger River in southern Nigeria has killed at least 26 people, authorities in Kogi State said on Wednesday.
The boat was taking traders to a market in Illushi in Edo State on the other side of the river bank, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Kogi State commissioner for information, said in a statement on X.
“Reports indicate that the unfortunate incident has allegedly claimed the lives of not less than 26 passengers,” he said.
The national rescue agency, NEMA, told AFP that it had sent teams to the scene.
Accidents are common on Nigeria’s busy rivers, often caused by overloaded boats, poor maintenance or failure to comply with safety regulations.
