Tragedy Strikes as 20 Feared Dead in Kogi Boat Accident
What started as a routine trip to the market turned into a devastating tragedy in Kogi State. A boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, leaving at least 20 people feared d3ad and many others still unaccounted for.
The ill-fated journey began in Onugwa, Ibaji Local Government Area, with passengers headed to Ilushi Market in Edo State. However, between Okpu and Odumomo along the River Niger, disaster struck. The boat overturned midway, throwing passengers into the river and sparking panic among families waiting on either side of the bank.
Local divers rushed into action, recovering 20 bodies so far, though the total number of passengers remains uncertain. Six people were confirmed to have survived, but many are still missing, with families left clinging to hope as the rescue mission continues.
Reports from the community revealed particularly heartbreaking details. A single family reportedly lost eight members in the disaster, while others who had attended a burial ceremony in Onugwa and boarded the same boat have not been seen among the survivors or recovered victims. For many, it has been a nightmare of waiting and praying as divers continue their search in the murky waters.
Most of the victims were women and children on their way to shop ahead of Independence Day celebrations. The mood of festivity has instead been replaced by grief across Ibaji and Ilushi, as wails echo from affected households.
Michael Unwuchola, a community member, explained that the exact number of passengers on board has yet to be established, but the rescue effort remains in full swing. Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Kogi State Police Command, SP William Aya, confirmed the incident, adding that investigations are ongoing to determine whether the mishap occurred on Kogi’s side of the river or within Edo State waters.
This tragedy stands as another grim reminder of the dangers faced by riverine communities that depend heavily on boats for travel and trade, where safety measures are often overlooked until it is far too late.
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