4th September, 2025
PRESS RELEASE:
BOAT MISHAPS: MURIC TELLS GOVTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
An Islamic human rights organisation has expressed grave concern
over the proliferation of boat mishaps in Nigeria and the attendant high death
tolls. The group said although life is precious, life span in Nigeria is often
brutally cut short as it ends more often than not through road and water
accidents.
MURIC therefore suggested that governments at all levels must take
responsibility by criminalising boarding boats without life jackets, investing
in modern and safe ferries as well as introducing coast guards and waterways
services in all 774 local governments in the country.
The statement was issued on Thursday, 4th September,
2025 by the group’s Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The full statement reads:
“Life
is becoming cheaper and cheaper in Nigeria. Those who are not killed by terrorists,
bandits and armed robbers now die on regular basis in boat accidents. About
sixty people died yesterday, Wednesday, 3rd September, 2025 in a
boat accident which occurred near Gausawa, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger
State.
“The victims were coming from Tungan Sule in Malale district, heading
towards Dugga on a condolence visit. Unfortunately their boat struck a
submerged tree stump near Gausawa community in Borgu Local Government Area (https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/death-toll-rises-60-nigeria-boat-accident-officials-say-2025-09-03/).
“The Gausawa boat mishap is not an isolated case as it has been a
harvest of calamities on Nigerian waterways in recent time. A boat conveying
over 50 passengers to Goronyo Market in Sokoto State capsized on Sunday, 17th
August, 2025. 40 lives were lost in that accident alone (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/18/more-than-40-missing-after-boat-capsizes-in-nigerias-sokoto/).
“Earlier on Saturday 26th July, 2025, at least 25
people, including 10 members of a single family, were confirmed drowned in another
boat tragedy in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/810074-niger-boat-accident-wipes-out-family-of-10-claims-25-lives.html).
“Our thoughts go to the dead victims and we condole the bereaved families.
“Media reports have recorded boat accidents and casualties in the
past six years in 25 out of Nigeria’s 36 states. It is lamentable that fatalities
include the vulnerable: women and children.
“According
to the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), at least 1,204
lives were lost between January 2018 and October 2023 on Nigeria’s inland
waterways. This implies that at least 17 people die monthly from boat mishaps. (https://www.icirnigeria.org/nigeria-lost-1280-lives-to-boat-mishaps-in-6yrs/).
“It
is becoming a disturbing trend and as a public-spirited body, MURIC can no
longer keep quiet. Our governments must think outside the box on how to rescue
the poor masses from the jaws of death on the waterways. Government must take
responsibility.
“Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria says the primary duty of government is the safety and welfare of the
citizenry. It therefore behooves both the Federal and state governments to take
responsibility for these tragedies and take necessary steps to stem the tide of
journeys of no return on Nigerian waterways.
“On
our part, we offer the following panacea:
1. In view of the fact that these boat accidents were caused by private
sector commercial boat operators who use rickety old boats, Nigeria’s federal,
state and local governments should invest in modern ferry transportation as
obtained in Lagos State;
2. Boarding boats without life jackets or operating commercial
boats without providing them should be criminalized and
3. All 774 local governments in the country should train personnel
for coast guard and waterways services.”
#StopBoatAccidents
#NigerianLivesMatter
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
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