Kogi, Nigeria: At least 26 people have died in a tragic boat accident on the Niger River in north-central Nigeria, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Ibaji area of Kogi State, where a boat carrying passengers—mostly traders—capsized while en route to a market in neighbouring Edo State, according to Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi State Commissioner for Information.

The exact cause of the accident remains unclear.

“This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ibaji local government area, in this moment of grief,” Fanwo said in an official statement.

He added that the state government would coordinate with federal agencies to enhance waterway safety and take measures to prevent similar incidents in future.

Boat accidents are frequent during Nigeria’s rainy season, especially in remote communities where river transport is common. Many vessels are often overloaded, poorly maintained, and operate without proper safety equipment such as life jackets.

Just last month, at least 31 people died in a separate incident when an overloaded boat struck a submerged tree trunk in Niger State’s Borgu area.