Kogi boat capsizes on River Niger, toll rises to 26

At least 20 people have died and several more are missing after a passenger boat capsized on the River Niger in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State on Tuesday evening, local officials and eyewitnesses said, while state authorities later said the death toll may have risen to 26. The boat, which departed from Onugwa for Ilushi market in neighbouring Edo State, went down around 4:30 p.m., according to residents at the scene.

Eyewitness James Otoga said the vessel was fully loaded with traders and residents travelling to market ahead of Nigeria’s October 1 Independence Day celebrations. Rescuers recovered 20 bodies and several survivors, Otoga said, adding that a number of people remain unaccounted for beneath the river. Local divers continued search operations after the capsizing, and community members reported that mourners returning from a burial were among those on board.

Ibaji Local Government chairman Ugeh Emmanuel described the accident as the worst in the area’s history and cautioned that the exact number of passengers and casualties remained uncertain. "No one can authoritatively say this is the actual number of casualties," he said, noting that officials were still...