Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep sorrow over the fatal boat accident in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State that left at least 29 people dead earlier this week.

The tragedy occurred on Monday in Gausawa community, Malale Ward, when a wooden boat carrying about 90 passengers, including women and children, capsized after colliding with a tree stump. Authorities and eyewitnesses cited overloading as a likely cause.

In a condolence message posted on X on Thursday, Atiku described the incident as “a painful reminder of the urgent need to strengthen safety in our waterways.”

“Reports indicate that the boat, which was carrying about 90 passengers, collided with a tree stump, with overloading cited as a possible cause of the mishap. This unfortunate incident highlights the recurring risks associated with water transportation in our riverine communities,” Atiku said.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party stressed that boat travel remains indispensable for many Nigerians in riverine areas, but lamented that weak infrastructure and lax enforcement of safety rules continue to put lives in jeopardy.

“Overloading must be discouraged, capacities strictly adhered to, and the provision of life jackets made compulsory. The cost of safety is far cheaper than the cost of lives cut short in preventable tragedies,” he added.

He extended his condolences to the victims’ families, the Gausawa community, and the Niger State government, praying for comfort to the bereaved and eternal rest for the dead.

Boat accidents remain frequent across Nigeria’s inland waterways due to poor regulation, overcrowding, night travel, and inadequate safety equipment. In September 2023, at least 26 people died in a similar tragedy in Mokwa Local Government, Niger State. Fatal incidents have also been reported in Kebbi, Kwara, Anambra, and Lagos in recent years.

The Niger State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that rescue efforts were still underway in Gausawa, with several passengers unaccounted for. Local divers and community volunteers have joined the search.

The latest tragedy has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations, greater investment in water transport infrastructure, and compulsory life-saving measures to reduce the recurring loss of lives.