President Tinubu orders an investigation into increasing boating accidents following a tragic capsizing incident

President Bola Tinubu has directed the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the alarming rise in boating accidents across Nigeria.

The aim of this directive is to improve safety measures following the tragic capsizing on October 1, in which a boat carrying over 200 passengers to Gbajibo for Mawlid celebration sank in Mokwa LGA of Niger State.

In his statement, President Tinubu stressed that NIWA must expand its surveillance of inland waterways to protect the lives of citizens. He also called for criminal prosecution of boat operators who violate the night-time sailing ban, a key safety regulation intended to prevent such disasters.

The incident triggered rescue operations by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), which is working diligently to recover the bodies of the victims.

On Thursday, spokesman Ibrahim Hussaini reported that the death toll had tragically risen to 36 and 19 bodies had been recovered from the river. The cause of the accident remains under investigation as the search for all remaining passengers continues.

In a heartfelt message, President Tinubu expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, prayed for the repose of their souls and commended the rescue workers and local divers involved in the recovery work.