The recent boat accidents in Jigawa and Bayelsa states, which resulted in the deaths of at least 25 people, have highlighted ongoing safety issues in Nigeria’s water transport system. The incidents—a capsized canoe in Jigawa and an exploded engine in Bayelsa—underscore a troubling trend of frequent boat mishaps across the country.
Stakeholders have reacted strongly to these tragedies. In Jigawa, Police Public Relations Officer Lawan Shiisu Adam reported that five people died when a boat capsized, while the remaining passengers were missing. Meanwhile, in Bayelsa, the explosion of a boat engine led to the deaths of 20 individuals, with the Maritime Workers’ Union attributing the high casualty rate to failures in adhering to safety protocols, such as wearing life jackets.
Local authorities and maritime officials have called for improvements in safety measures and greater compliance with established protocols. Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri promised an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and prevent future occurrences.
The International Centre for Investigative Journalism (ICIJ) has documented a significant number of fatalities due to boat accidents over recent years, with over 1,200 lives lost between January 2018 and October 2023. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport also reported over 300 lives lost in recent boat mishaps.
The recurring nature of these accidents has sparked calls for more stringent safety regulations and better infrastructure to address the risks associated with water transportation in Nigeria.