Boat Capsizes on Niger River as Passengers Try to Reach Onitsha

(Rescue Team at The Scene. Photo by Arise News)

An unspecified number of people have d!ed after a boat capsized on the Niger River on Tuesday while they were trying to cross from Asaba to Onitsha, Anambra State.

The boat accident happened as businesspeople attempted to use the waterway to reach Onitsha after the bridge between Asaba and Onitsha was shut down for repairs about two weeks ago.

Since the bridge closure, people have struggled to move between the two cities for work and business.

Some walk across the nearly two-kilometre bridge, others use motorcycles.

Those in vehicles and carrying goods either try to find another route using the Second Niger Bridge or risk the river by boat.

Boats have become increasingly popular because they are the cheapest option.

Motorcycle riders charge 1,000 naira to ferry passengers across the bridge, while boats charge as little as 500 naira, and some donated boats offer free passage.

Among those on the ill-fated boat were businesspeople travelling from Asaba to Onitsha, including a couple identified as Mr and Mrs Victor.

Videos showed bodies of d£ceased victims lying on the river bank, including a victim named Ikenna and three others believed to be minors between 12 and 16 years old.

As of the time of reporting, no official authority has confirmed the incident, though a resident of Onitsha confirmed that the accident actually occurred.