A devastating boat accident in north-central Nigeria claimed the lives of 108 people, the majority of whom were women and children, according to survivors and officials. The ill-fated journey began as a festive return from a wedding, with over 250 passengers crammed onto a wooden vessel traversing the Niger River in Kwara state. Tragedy struck in the early hours of Monday when the overloaded boat collided with a submerged log, causing it to split apart.

Survivors recounted harrowing scenes of struggling passengers, with many mothers tragically choosing to stay with their children rather than seek safety. Ibrahim Mohammed, a survivor who managed to rescue three children while losing nine young relatives, described the heartbreaking reality: "Most of the women in that boat had children, and a majority of the people dead are women and small children."

The search and rescue operations concluded on Thursday, with villagers burying the victims near the riverbank in accordance with local customs. While at least 144 people survived, the scale of the loss is immense, particularly for one village which lost 68 residents. The boat, designed for around 200 people, was significantly overloaded with at least 250 passengers, highlighting a persistent issue with river transport in the region.

This incident is not an isolated case. Boat accidents are frequent occurrences in Nigeria, often attributed to a combination of overloading and the use of poorly maintained vessels. Just last May, a similar incident claimed the lives of 15 people, including children. The Niger River, one of Africa's longest, has witnessed numerous such tragedies.

In the wake of this tragedy, calls for improved road infrastructure have intensified, with grieving villagers emphasizing the need for safer transportation alternatives. Muhammed Alhassan, who lost six family members, pleaded with authorities: "The lives lost are already gone. The government should do whatever it can do to help us." Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has pledged to address the challenges of inland water transport, focusing on stricter adherence to safety regulations. Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, after visiting the affected district, announced plans for enhanced safety measures, including the distribution of 1,000 life jackets to promote safer river travel.