Lokoja, Nigeria—Twelve people are confirmed dead after their boat capsized on the Niger River today. The vessel was carrying passengers across the water when it hit a submerged obstacle and began taking on water. Strong currents quickly overwhelmed the craft, causing it to flip mid-stream.

Witnesses on the shore say the boat disappeared beneath the surface in minutes. Those who could swim managed to reach the banks, but the majority remained trapped as the vessel drifted downstream. Local fishermen joined the effort to pull survivors from the river but were unable to reach everyone in time.

The river is currently running high due to seasonal rains, which makes navigation dangerous for small, unpowered vessels. Authorities state that the boat was overloaded and lacked enough life jackets for the passengers on board. This oversight contributed significantly to the high death toll.

Search and rescue teams have been scouring the banks for the last several hours. They have recovered twelve bodies, confirming the loss of life. There is no official count of how many people were on board at the time of the incident, leaving some families worried about unaccounted individuals.

The incident is a stark reminder of the risks associated with water transport in this region. Many people rely on these informal ferry services to reach markets and schools. Despite repeated warnings from maritime safety officials, operators frequently ignore capacity limits.

Police are searching for the boat owner, who is believed to have fled the area following the report of the crash. Survivors are being interviewed to build a picture of exactly what happened in the final moments before the capsizing. Their accounts consistently mention the sudden imbalance of the vessel.

Community leaders are gathering at the riverfront to provide support to the grieving families. The mood is solemn as people watch the water, waiting for any further signs of the lost passengers. There is no official talk of when water transport will resume in the area.

Search operations will continue until the river level drops or all bodies are accounted for. The authorities are calling for a strict enforcement of safety regulations for all boat operators on the river. The wreckage has not yet been salvaged from the riverbed.