A tragic boat mishap on Tuesday night along the Igbologun water channel in Lagos has claimed the lives of six passengers, with four others rescued and hospitalized.
The incident occurred around 8:35 PM on December 30, 2025, near the Nigerdock axis, when a boat operated by Savvy Marine and traveling from Ilashe Beach House ran into trouble.
According to a joint statement by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), a distress call triggered an immediate search and rescue operation involving marine police, emergency responders, and both agencies. While four survivors were pulled from the water and taken to a nearby hospital, six others were recovered deceased. Search efforts are ongoing to account for all passengers believed to be on board.
Preliminary findings suggest the boat may have collided with a submerged object, though a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.
The accident has once again highlighted persistent safety concerns on Lagos inland waterways, particularly regarding night travel and compliance with navigation rules.
In their statement, LASWA and NIWA extended condolences to the victims’ families and reiterated the mandatory “No Night Travel” policy for passenger boats. They urged operators and passengers to strictly adhere to safety regulations, including the use of life jackets and avoidance of travel in poor visibility.
The authorities assured the public that findings from the investigation will inform stricter enforcement and safety measures to prevent future tragedies on Lagos’ busy waterways.
