The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on federal, state, and local governments to urgently address the rising spate of boat mishaps across Nigeria, describing the deaths as avoidable tragedies.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights group decried the high death tolls resulting from accidents on waterways, stressing that government has a constitutional duty to safeguard citizens.
MURIC’s concerns followed the latest boat disaster in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, where about 60 passengers lost their lives on Wednesday, 3rd September 2025, after their boat struck a submerged tree stump near Gausawa community.
The organisation noted that the incident added to a string of similar tragedies, citing the August 17 accident in Sokoto State, where about 40 people died when a boat heading to Goronyo Market capsized, and the July 26 tragedy in Niger State, which claimed 25 lives, including 10 members of a single family.
“Life is becoming cheaper and cheaper in Nigeria. Those who are not killed by terrorists, bandits and armed robbers now die on a regular basis in boat accidents,” Akintola lamented.
He referenced data from the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), which revealed that at least 1,204 lives were lost on Nigeria’s inland waterways between January 2018 and October 2023 — averaging 17 deaths monthly.
The group urged governments to invest in modern ferry services nationwide, criminalise the operation and use of boats without life jackets, and establish coast guard and waterways services in all 774 local government areas.
Quoting Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, Akintola insisted that the safety and welfare of citizens remain the primary duty of government.
“Government must think outside the box to rescue the poor masses from the jaws of death on the waterways. The time to act is now”He added.
