President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the boat accident in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State that resulted in the loss of lives. In a statement issued via his Information and Strategy Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, the president described the incident as “shocking and unfortunate,” particularly because the victims were on a legitimate journey to earn a living.
Tinubu commended first responders and emergency teams for their efforts and called on federal, state, and local agencies to intensify assistance to survivors and the families of the deceased. He also urged waterway operators to prioritize safety over profit, stressing that human lives must not be compromised for financial gain.
In the same release, Tinubu offered prayers for the peaceful repose of those who died and for rapid recovery of those injured.
In Kogi, the state government confirmed that at least 26 people died in the boat mishap on the Niger River in Ibaji. The tragedy occurred while passengers—many of them traders from Ibaji—were travelling to Ilushi market in Edo State.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, through Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. He also instructed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to join forces with local authorities to provide relief to those affected.
The governor pledged that the administration would work closely with federal agencies to strengthen safety protocols for water transport in the state, especially in riverine areas, to avert similar disasters in the future.
State officials also urged residents to avoid overloading vessels and to ensure the use of life jackets and other safety measures when travelling by water.