At least six passengers have been confirmed dead, while four others were rescued following a boat accident along the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun Water Channel in Lagos State.
The incident was confirmed in a joint statement issued on Wednesday by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the Lagos Area Office of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). The statement was signed by LASWA’s Head of Public Affairs, Wuraola Alake, and NIWA’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Omowunmi Yussuff.
According to the authorities, the accident occurred at about 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday and involved a Savvy Marine passenger boat that was travelling from Ilashe Beach House at the time of the mishap.
The agencies said that immediately a distress alert was received, search and rescue operations were activated, with LASWA and NIWA teams working in collaboration with the Marine Police and other emergency responders.
“As at the time of this report, four passengers have been successfully rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Sadly, six passengers were found dead at the scene. Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing to account for all occupants of the boat,” the statement said.
Preliminary investigations, according to the agencies, suggest that the accident may have resulted from a collision with a submerged object. Further investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.
LASWA and NIWA extended their condolences to the families of the victims and assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted, with updates to be provided as more information becomes available. The agencies also reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring safety on Lagos inland waterways.
The authorities reiterated the need for strict compliance with safety regulations, including proper navigation practices and adherence to the night travel restriction. Members of the public were advised to remain calm and rely only on verified information from LASWA, NIWA, and other official sources.
The incident comes amid ongoing festive-season safety campaigns launched earlier in December by LASWA and NIWA to curb accidents during periods of increased water traffic. The campaign emphasises the use of life jackets, maintenance of passenger manifests, avoidance of night travel, routine vessel checks, intensified patrols, and joint search-and-rescue operations across major waterways.
