Lagos boat mishap: Ferry manager arrested over alleged negligence

The manager of a ferry that capsized on Monday in Lagos State has been arrested for alleged negligence and failure to comply with safety regulations.

The Lagos Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Mrs Sarat Braimah, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

She said that the arrest was effected as a result of findings from a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The arrest is aimed at ensuring accountability and setting a precedent for strict adherence to waterways regulations to prevent future occurrences. Further legal actions are underway as investigations continue,” she said.

According to her, the ferry manager must produce the captain of the boat, stressing that it had been established that the fiber boat veered off its channel and collided with a wooden boat due to the obstructed vision of the captain.

Braimah said that the obstruction was largely due to loads on the fiber boat, stating that the boat owned by Only God Ferry failed to adhere to operational safety standards and proper navigation procedures.