No fewer than 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.
The Lagos State Waterways Authority and the National Inland Waterways Authority disclosed this in a joint statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit at LASWA, Wuraola Alake, and the Head of the Corporate Affairs Unit at the Lagos Area Office of NIWA, Omowunmi Yussuff.
According to the statement, the accident, which involved a Savvy marine passenger boat, occurred at about 8:35 p.m. on Tuesday while the vessel was en route from the Ilashe Beach House.
The waterways authorities said that upon receiving a distress alert, search and rescue teams were immediately activated and deployed to the scene, working in close collaboration with the Marine Police and other first responders.
“As of the time of this report, four passengers have been successfully rescued and transported to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving medical attention. Sadly, six other passengers were found dead at the scene. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing to account for all persons involved,” the statement read in part.
The agencies added that preliminary findings suggested the incident may have been caused by a collision with a submerged object, noting that investigations were still ongoing to fully ascertain the cause of the mishap.
“LASWA and NIWA wish to assure the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available. LASWA and NIWA extend their deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and assure the public of their continued commitment to ensuring safety on Lagos’ inland waterways,” the statement added.
The authorities reiterated the need for strict adherence to safety regulations, including proper navigation practices and compliance with the night travel rule, while urging the public to remain calm and rely only on verified information from LASWA, NIWA and other official sources.
The statement also recalled that in December, LASWA and NIWA launched a festive-season safety campaign aimed at protecting travellers during periods of heavy traffic, particularly in December when waterway usage peaks.
The campaign emphasises strict compliance with safety measures such as the use of life jackets, maintenance of passenger manifests, avoidance of night travel and routine vessel checks before departure. Joint search and rescue operations and intensified patrols were also introduced as part of the strategy to curb unsafe practices and enhance surveillance across key waterways.
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