Tragedy Strikes: Overloaded Ferry Sinks in Niger State, Leaving at Least 60 Dead

On the morning of September 2, 2025, a tragic incident occurred when an overloaded ferry departed from Tungan Sule in Niger State, Nigeria, heading toward the village of Dugga. The vessel, carrying over one hundred passengers, struck a submerged tree stump in the Malale River near the Gausawa community. This collision resulted in the ferry capsizing and sinking, marking a severe maritime disaster in the region.

Emergency response teams successfully retrieved thirty-one bodies from the river, while approximately fifty survivors were rescued and brought to safety. Unfortunately, many passengers remain missing, prompting ongoing search and rescue operations.

Local officials, including Abdullahi Baba Ara, the chair of Borgu Local Government, reported that the death toll had risen to sixty, with ten survivors in critical condition. The passengers were on a condolence trip, traveling to honor a recently deceased villager.

This incident highlights the recurring dangers associated with Nigeria’s inland waterways, often attributed to factors like vessel overloading, poor maintenance practices, and the failure to adhere to safety regulations.

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