House of Reps orders Federal Govt to investigate recurring boat accidents on Nigeria’s Waterways
House of Reps orders Federal Govt to investigate recurring boat accidents on Nigeria’s Waterways
The House of Representatives has ordered investigation into causes of the incessant boat mishaps on Nigeria’s waterways.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Unyime Idem (PDP-Akwa-Ibom) on the floor of the House in Abuja on Tuesday.
Presenting his motion, Idem said that Nigeria had witnessed a disturbing surge in boat mishaps in recent times, resulting in the tragic loss of numerous lives.
He cited the most recent incident, being the Kogi boat mishap, which occurred on Nov. 29.
This, he said, took place on the Dambo-Ebuchi waterway of the River Niger in Kupa Local Government Area.
The rep said that the tragic incident involved over 160 passengers, with only 24 rescued, and 54 confirmed dead, while a yet to be determined number were still unaccounted for.
According to him, the Kogi boat mishap marked the third passenger boat accident in Nigeria within a span of just 60 days.
“In a similar tragic incident, precisely on October 3, 2024, a wooden dugout canoe carrying approximately 300 passengers capsized and sank on the River Niger,” Idem said.
This, according to him, resulted in the loss of nearly 200 lives.
He further said that just last week, a collision between two boats in Delta State, southern Nigeria, claimed the lives of five people.
Idem stated that the reccurrence of these devastating incidents culminated in the recent Kupa boat mishap in Kogi State.
This, he added, underscored the urgent need for improved maritime safety measures in Nigeria.
He stated that maritime experts had identified a combination of critical factors contributing to the alarming frequency of boat accidents in Nigeria.
Idem listed the factors to include inadequate boat maintenance and poor design, overloading, a lack of essential safety equipment and emergency response plans.
Others listed are insufficient training for boat operators and a lack of strict regulatory enforcement.
He expressed concern that if nothing was done to improve safety and emergency response systems, Nigerians would continue to face psychological trauma, economic losses, and untimely deaths.
Adopting the motion, the House, after observing a minute of silence for the departed souls in the Kogi Boat Mishap, urged the Federal Government to proffer solutions to the challenges.
The lawmakers stated that the investigation should be done jointly by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Ministry of Transportation “and provide insights and recommendations on improving maritime safety.”
The House also urges NIMASA and NIWA to enforce safety regulations and ensure compliance with international maritime standards.
The House mandated the House Committees on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration, and Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority to ensure compliance.(NAN)
News
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
Two men docked for allegedly defiling underaged girl
The police in Lagos on Friday, charged two men before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling an 11- year-old girl.
The defendants are: Prince Tomnyie, 40, a businessman, who resides at Agege, and Micheal Adenuga, 24, a furniture maker, who resides at Atere Street in Lekki.
They are standing trial on charges of defilement, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, ASP Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that they committed the offence sometimes in December 2024, and September 2025, at Langbasa Ajah and Igbara Lekki, Lagos .
The prosecutor alleged that the victim’s father, had taken his daughter for medical check and it was discovered that the minor had been defiled.
The prosecution alleged that the victim had told her father that his friend, Tomnyie, defiled her sometimes ago.
Ademigbuji alleged that the victim also mentioned the second defendant’s name who lives in their neigbourhood.
The offence contravenes the provisons of section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2015.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr L. A Owolabi, granted the defendants bail in the sum of of N600,000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until March 5, for mention. (NAN)
News
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
Report any officer asking for money for release of suspect as Police insist bail is free
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has insisted that bail is free, and called on the public to report any officer asking for money to release a suspect on bail.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adeh spoke in reaction to public outcry that some police officers were demanding money to release suspects on bail in the territory.
She said the report of the erring officers would serve as a deterrent to others, adding that it was fraudulent to demand for money to release a suspect on bail.
Adeh blamed the yielding to such fraudulent demand on ignorance on the part of the victims who refused to stand on their rights.
“A similar case was reported where an officer demanded money to release a suspect on bail and when the matter was reported, we requested for evidence from the victim.
“The evidence was provided because the money was transferred to the officer’s account and actions are being taken on the issue.
“So, I encourage the public to take advantage of the FCT Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU) lines on 08107314192 to report such misconduct with evidence,” she said.
Adeh urged the public to always insist on their rights and refuse any form of payment to release a suspect on bail.(NAN)
News
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
Former President sentenced to five years in prison by Court
South Korea’s former president Yoon Suk Yeol was on Friday sentenced to five years in prison for obstruction of justice.
The Seoul Central District Court found that the 65-year-old conservative, with the help of the presidential security service, had tried to prevent his own arrest and deleted multiple documents related to the investigation against him.
Yoon shocked the nation by imposing martial law on December 3, 2024, amid a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into a political crisis.
He justified the drastic measure as necessary to protect South Korea’s democratic order and accused the left-leaning opposition of being infiltrated by communists with ties to China and North Korea, though he provided no evidence for these claims.
In a separate trial, prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Yoon on charges of incitement, with a verdict expected on February 19.
While the death penalty remains legally in force in South Korea, it has not been carried out for nearly 30 years.
Yoon’s actions previously alarmed international investors and led to withheld investments, damaging the reputation of South Korea as a political and economic model for the region.
Since last summer, South Korea has been led by President Lee Jae Myung, a left-leaning centrist and long-time political rival of Yoon. (dpa/NAN)
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