NIWA INTENSIFIES INVESTIGATION AFTER VANDALS STRIP PATROL BOAT OF TWIN ENGINES IN NIGER STATE
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has intensified investigations into the vandalisation and looting of one of its patrol surveillance boats after unidentified vandals stripped the vessel of its twin outboard engines at the Katcha waterfront in Niger State.
The incident, which occurred between Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026, targeted PB Gurara—a fibre patrol boat powered by twin 75-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines and deployed to strengthen surveillance, safety enforcement and emergency response across Nigeria's inland waterways.
Leading an on-the-spot assessment on July 17, the NIWA Area Manager for Minna, Mr. Akapo Adeboye, said the Authority is working with traditional rulers, security agencies and local government officials to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
The assessment team held consultations with the District Head of Katcha, officials of the Sheshi Palace, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Katcha Police Station, representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the management of Badeggi Radio Station, and the Chairman of Katcha Local Government Area.
According to Adeboye, preliminary findings indicate that the perpetrators carried out a calculated operation, carefully dismantling and removing the patrol boat's engines rather than engaging in indiscriminate vandalism.
"They took their time to loosen the fittings, remove the engines and loot the boat," he said.
Adeboye disclosed that investigations suggest the 75HP Yamaha outboard engines were deliberately targeted because they are rugged, widely used on inland waterways and command a strong resale market. He noted that similar thefts involving engines of that specification have been reported in parts of Kogi State, although investigators are yet to establish any direct connection between those incidents and the attack on PB Gurara.
He also revealed that other boats berthed at the waterfront were left largely untouched, reinforcing suspicions that the perpetrators knew exactly what they were after.
Despite the incident, Adeboye described Katcha as a strategic inland water transport hub linking commercial activities across Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa and Kebbi States, underscoring the importance of maintaining security along the corridor to support trade and safe navigation.
He reaffirmed NIWA's commitment to safeguarding public assets and strengthening partnerships with host communities to protect infrastructure deployed for waterway safety and surveillance.
The Area Manager added that video evidence and findings from the assessment have been forwarded to the Authority's management to support ongoing investigations and guide further action.
Commissioned just over a year ago, PB Gurara forms part of NIWA's fleet of patrol boats deployed to enhance surveillance, enforce safety regulations and improve emergency response on Nigeria's inland waterways.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical maritime infrastructure to organised theft and underscores the need for sustained collaboration between government agencies, security operatives and riverine communities to protect assets that are vital to the safety and efficiency of Nigeria's inland water transport system.
