Tragedy struck in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State as three persons, including two believed to be from the same family, were feared drowned following a boat mishap late Monday night.
The ill-fated boat, heavily loaded with over 200 bags of rice, was headed for Lokoja in Kogi State when it capsized around 9 p.m. due to a violent windstorm. Local sources confirmed that only three people were aboard the boat, as the cargo had taken up all available space. None of them are believed to have survived.
“The boat was transporting rice purchased in Lapai for sale in Lokoja,” an eyewitness reported. “Two of the victims were related and were responsible for most of the rice onboard. The sudden storm likely overwhelmed the vessel.”
Despite earlier fears that more passengers were on the boat, an informed source clarified that no additional occupants were present due to the weight of the cargo.
Efforts to recover the bodies were ongoing as of press time. Hussaini Ibrahim, the Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said the agency was still gathering details and would issue an official statement in due course.
The incident highlights growing concerns about the safety of inland water transportation, particularly in rural areas where overloading and poor weather forecasting continue to pose serious risks.
