13 Dead, 26 Rescued in Niger Boat Accident on Shiroro Dam

 A tragic boat accident on July 27, 2025, claimed the lives of 13 passengers while 26 others were rescued after a vessel capsized mid-river on the Shiroro Dam, en route to the Kwata Zumba Market. 

The incident, reported by local authorities around 3:00 PM WAT, involved a wooden boat carrying an unspecified number of passengers and goods, which overturned due to overloading and strong currents, according to initial assessments by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA). Rescue operations, led by the Nigerian Navy and local divers, recovered 13 bodies, with fears that the toll could rise as searches continue in the dam’s deep waters.

Eyewitnesses reported the boat, a common means of transport for traders, was packed beyond capacity, a recurring issue in Nigeria’s inland waterways where safety regulations are poorly enforced. The Kwata Zumba Market, a key trading hub, relies heavily on such crossings, with over 50,000 monthly transactions. 

NSEMA has deployed additional boats and personnel, but challenges like limited equipment and poor visibility persist. The narrative of a preventable tragedy is stark, with public sentiment on social platforms expressing outrage over neglected infrastructure, though official casualty figures remain provisional pending a full investigation.