Boat mishap claims 37 lives in Kwara border community

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Tragedy struck again in Gbajibo-Mudi, a riverine community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, as 37 traders lost their lives in a boat mishap on Thursday evening. This comes barely seven months after a similar incident in the area claimed over 200 lives.

According to local sources, the victims were returning to their homes in Niger State after attending the weekly market in Gbajibo-Mudi when the overloaded boat capsized. The boat, designed for about 100 passengers, reportedly struggled with the rising water levels, which contributed to the accident.

A former chairman of Kaiama Local Government, Hon. Mahmoud Salihu Gbajibo, confirmed the incident on Saturday. He said 37 bodies were recovered from the river by the community’s rescue team, while others were rescued.

“The accident occurred around 6 p.m. on Thursday. The boat was overloaded, and the high water level also played a role. Right now, the local government chairman and the Emir of Kaiama are in the community to sympathize with the people,” Salihu said.

Efforts to get confirmation from the Kwara State Police Command were unsuccessful as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, and the State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, were not answered. A WhatsApp message sent to the commissioner also went unreplied.

However, the Kwara State Government confirmed the incident on Sunday. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, said the accident occurred within Niger State’s territory, though the victims had come from Kwara to trade.

“The accident happened on Thursday evening while the traders were returning home. All 37 bodies were recovered and buried in Niger State. That is why we initially remained silent on the matter,” Ajakaye explained.

It will be recalled that on October 4, 2024, a similar tragedy occurred in the same area when a boat carrying guests returning from a Maulud celebration in Mokwa, Niger State, capsized, killing over 200 people.