By Charles Pemu 
SHIRORO, NIGER STATE – At least 25 people, including an entire family of 10, are feared to have lost their lives in a tragic boat mishap that occurred on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident took place around 11:45 a.m. in Gunu, as the victims were en route to the weekly Kwata-Zumba market.
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) confirmed the capsize, stating the boat was heavily loaded with farm produce and an unspecified number of passengers, predominantly traders.
NSEMA Director General, Hon. Abdullahi Baba Arah, issued a statement explaining that rescue operations were immediately launched. “NSEMA has received a report of a boat mishap incident which occurred today (yesterday) 26th July 2025, around 11:45am when a Boat loaded with Commodities and an unspecified number of passengers heading towards Kwata, Zumba Market, capsized along with its occupants,” Arah stated.
While the boat driver and a few passengers were rescued, with one currently receiving treatment at General Hospital Kuta, the full scale of casualties remains uncertain as search and rescue efforts are ongoing by NSEMA officials, local divers, and volunteers.
However, Umar Isah, the Sarkin Ruwa Zumba, who confirmed the incident, estimated the death toll at approximately 25. He noted that the driver himself was unaware of the exact number of passengers. Tragically, a single family of 10 is confirmed among the deceased, while another family reported that five of its members are still unaccounted for.