At least 27 people have died in a tragic boat accident that occurred on Tuesday along the Malale–Kainji Lake route in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The wooden boat, which had 138 passengers on board, capsized at around 11:49 am in the Shagunu–Dunga stretch of Kainji Lake.

Rescue teams from the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) arrived at the scene around 1:33 pm and were able to save 46 men, 58 women and an undisclosed number of children, many aided by life jackets.

So far, 27 bodies have been recovered, eight on Monday and 19 more on Tuesday, according to Akapo Adeboye, Manager of NIWA’s Niger-Kwara Area Office.

“The boat has been removed from the water, but rescue efforts are ongoing,” Adeboye confirmed.

The search and rescue operation is being led by NIWA’s New Bussa Substation, with support from River Marshalls, Nigerian Shipowners Forum on Waterways (NIGSBOFWA), security personnel, and local community leaders. Authorities say the coordinated effort is helping improve water safety in the region.

This latest incident adds to a growing list of fatal boat accidents across Nigeria.

In August 2025, more than 40 people went missing after a boat carrying over 50 passengers to a market capsized in Sokoto State. Only 10 survivors were rescued.

In August 2024, 16 farmers drowned when their canoe capsized en route to rice fields in Sokoto.

On July 29, 2024, six girls drowned in Jigawa State after a boat taking them home from farm work sank midstream.

Just two days earlier, another accident in central Niger State claimed at least 13 lives.

A new report by Plan International Nigeria, an independent humanitarian non-profit, has revealed alarming statistics about the state of youth in Nigeria, stating that nearly 80 million young Nigerians are currently unemployed, while over 1,500 schools have been forced to shut down in the past two years due to growing insecurity.

The report, titled “State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025,” was unveiled during the Nigerian Youth Dialogue held in Abuja to mark International Youth Day and was presented by Jonathan Abakpa, Advocacy and Youth Programme Officer at Plan International Nigeria.

The event was organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Youth in Parliament.

The report paints a grim picture of wasted potential in a nation where over 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30.

“This is more than a statistic; it reflects shattered dreams and wasted talent,” Abakpa said.

“The desperation among young people is fueling irregular migration, cybercrime, and other dangerous coping strategies.”

According to the report, insecurity and systemic failures are crippling Nigeria’s development.

1.7 million graduates leave tertiary institutions annually with little or no job opportunities.

Over 1 million children are currently out of school due to school closures.

More than 600,000 people have been killed and 2.2 million kidnapped in recent years, a significant number of them young people.

77,000 lives have been lost to tribal conflicts in the last five years.

2.6 million people, mostly from farming communities, have been displaced due to violence.

With farmers unable to access their land, UNICEF estimates that 25 million Nigerians are at risk of hunger.

Over 82.9 million Nigerians (40.1% of the population) currently live below the poverty line.

“Education, which should be a ladder of opportunity, has been violently taken away from millions of children,” Abakpa stated.

The report warns that without deliberate and urgent intervention, Nigeria risks alienating an entire generation.

It calls for scaled-up job creation initiatives, vocational training and entrepreneurship programmes that are linked to real industry needs, stronger support for innovation and youth-led enterprises.

Despite the dire statistics, the report also emphasizes that Nigerian youth are not just victims, they are innovators, entrepreneurs, and agents of change and deserve targeted support to unleash their potential.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Ayodeji Alao-Akala, Chairman of the House Committee on Youth in Parliament, reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to improving the lives of young Nigerians.

“As a country, we cannot afford to ignore the aspirations of our youth,” Alao-Akala said.

“They are the future of Nigeria, and our responsibility as lawmakers is to create an enabling environment for them to thrive.”

He noted that several bills and motions have already been passed in Parliament aimed at supporting youth development and national progress.

The “State of the Nigerian Youth Report 2025” serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for urgent, coordinated efforts by the government, private sector and development partners to reverse the decline and unlock Nigeria’s demographic dividend.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has applauded the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for its proactive efforts in reforming inmates through talent discovery and skill-building initiatives, aimed at making them productive members of society upon release.

The governor gave the commendation on Wednesday while flagging off the final match of the month-long Inter-Hostel Football Competition held at the Enugu Custodial Centre.

Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Emeka Ajogwu, Governor Mbah expressed satisfaction with the discipline, hygiene, and reformation programmes being implemented within the custodial facilities across the state.

“The Enugu State Government will continue to support the Nigerian Correctional Service in its mission to transform lives. We want inmates to understand that this process is about love, rehabilitation, and reintegration, not punishment,” he said.

He further praised the NCoS for using sports, especially football, as a positive channel for engaging inmates, discovering talent, and boosting morale.

“This football competition is a step in the right direction. It provides a platform to harness and nurture hidden talents within the correctional facilities,” Mbah added.

Speaking at the event, the Controller-General of NCoS, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, reiterated the Service’s commitment to inmate transformation through engaging activities.

Represented by the Zonal Coordinator for Zone M, Mrs. Prisca Oku, the C-G emphasized the importance of providing platforms for skill and talent development.

“We are focused on productive engagements that equip inmates with skills and confidence to reintegrate successfully into society. Football is one of the tools we are using to unlock potential and inspire a new path for these individuals,” Nwakuche noted.

The Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, Mr. Valins Obizue, thanked the Controller-General for endorsing and supporting the football competition, which he described as a valuable initiative for discovering new sporting talent.

“We hope to see some of these players representing the state or even the country someday. This is why we urge government bodies, corporate sponsors, and philanthropists to continue supporting our reformation programmes,” Obizue said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Controller of Corrections, Enugu Custodial Centre, Mr. Sunday Igwe, expressed appreciation to Rangers International FC for donating branded jerseys to the finalist teams.

“We are proud of what we witnessed today. Football has brought unity and motivation to these inmates, and I’m confident that some of the talents discovered today could go on to join professional clubs,” he added.

In a tightly contested final, Team IDR edged out Team Asylum with a 1-0 victory. M Ward Team secured third place following a series of round-robin matches involving eight hostel teams over the past month.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the deaths of 10 persons in two multiple accidents involving seven vehicles along the Ozalla axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The Sector Commander of FRSC Enugu State Command, Mr. Franklin Agbakoba, disclosed the details during a press briefing in Enugu on Thursday, describing the incidents as tragic and avoidable.

According to Agbakoba, the two separate accidents occurred on Wednesday at about 9:30 am and 3:45 pm respectively, within the Police Estate and Toll Gate areas of Ozalla.

“As usual, our personnel from the FRSC Ozalla Unit responded swiftly, rescuing over 30 individuals. Some of the victims with serious injuries were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention,” he said.

The first crash involved a trailer, two buses, and a car, affecting 34 people, 22 males, 11 females and one child.

Nine fatalities occurred at the scene, with another victim dying later in the hospital.

10 injuries were recorded (1 male, 9 females).

19 males were rescued unhurt.

The second crash, which occurred later in the afternoon, involved two trailers and a tricycle, with six male victims:

One fatality, one injury, and one male rescued unhurt.

In total, 40 people were involved in both crashes, 10 fatalities, 11 injuries and 20 males rescued without injuries.

Agbakoba attributed the accidents to basic Road Traffic Violations (RTVs), particularly driving against traffic, a dangerous and recurring issue along that axis.

“The Ozalla axis has been notorious for motorists violating traffic rules, especially by taking the wrong lane. Our unit at Ozalla has been consistent in enforcing traffic laws and conducting road safety education in the area,” he stated.

He revealed that three drivers were recently apprehended in August for such violations at the same accident-prone zone.

The Sector Commander appealed for the installation of caution signs in the affected areas, especially since road construction is ongoing along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

“We urge road users to exercise patience and drive with caution in construction zones. A little patience can save lives,” he added.