UPDATED: 58 rescued, over 30 Lives lost to Boat Mishap at Gausawa Community, Niger State- NEMA
By Olawale Lamina
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has directed the Agency’s Minna Operations Office who are presently on site to intensify ongoing rescue efforts following the tragic boat mishap that occurred on 2 September 2025 in Gausawa community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
A statement by NEMA Head of Press Manzo Ezekiel stated that witnesses at the scene of the incident revealed that about 90 persons were onboard the ill-fated vessel.
“So far, 58 passengers have been rescued, while over 30 lives have been lost as one additional body was recovered this afternoon. Several other passengers remain unaccounted for, with search and rescue efforts still ongoing,” the statement revealed.
It added that, initial investigations also indicated that the mishap was caused by overloading of the vessel, compounded by a collision with a tree stump along the water channel.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) is leading the rescue operation with other stakeholders that includes the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC), Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Local divers and community volunteers.
NEMA is currently coordinating with the stakeholders to ensure a sustained and organized response, while assuring the public that further updates will be provided as more details unfold.
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