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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
