At least eight people have died and dozens are still missing after a boat capsized in a river in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state, the emergency services have said.

The victims are residents of Dugga village, who were travelling on Monday to neighbouring Kebbi state on business to sell grain and sugar cane.

According to the Niger state Emergency management agency (Sema), the accident left eight people dead and dozens are still missing.

Sema spokesperson Ibrahim Hussaini told the BBC that five women and three men had died.

Ten people were rescued, and search and rescue operations were continuing, he added.

More than 1,200 people have lost their lives in boat accidents across Nigeria between 2018 to 2023, according to the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR).

Overcrowding, the unavailability of life jackets and poor maintenance have been blamed for the accidents.

BBC