A boat conveying passengers capsized at the Buruku crossing point in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday at about 11am. The incident occurred while the wooden boat was ferrying passengers across the River Benue. According to a maritime worker at the crossing point, search and rescue operations were ongoing for the missing passengers. The worker said seven people were still missing as of 2:30pm.
A witness, Fanen, alleged that the ill-fated boat was conveying many mourners and 35 motorcycles when the incident occurred. The passengers on board the boat were mostly mourners returning from a burial ceremony. This has raised concerns about the safety of boat operations in the area. The local government chairman, Raymond Aondoakura, attributed the mishap to engine failure and the occupants' inexperience in navigating the river safely.
The chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Raymond Aondoakura, said the boat capsized while returning from the other side of the river, alleging that it was overloaded and encountered strong waves. Aondoakura said some passengers, who were unfamiliar with the river, panicked and struggled in the water, making rescue efforts difficult. He also expressed concern that passengers often fail to use life jackets while travelling on boats across the river.
According to Aondoakura, more than 70 people had been rescued, while about six persons were still unaccounted for. The chairman emphasized that the local government had provided life jackets for every commuter crossing that route, but some passengers often refuse to use them, citing health issues or unwillingness to share. The state government is also supporting efforts to ensure that maritime safety regulations are enforced.
The Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Makurdi, Andrew Mdama Ndahi, confirmed the incident and said the agency had commenced preliminary investigations to establish what happened. Ndahi said he would personally visit the scene on Monday to gather more details. The investigation aims to determine the cause of the incident and prevent similar accidents in the future.
The Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Ter Iyaghigba, said the state government had commenced efforts to support the ongoing rescue operation. Iyaghigba stated that preliminary reports indicated a strong water current swept the boat into an abandoned barge at a corner of the river, causing it to overturn. He directed boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and assist in the search and rescue operation.
Iyaghigba urged members of the public, particularly families of those who might have been aboard the boat, to remain calm and await verified information from the relevant authorities. He assured that further details would be communicated as the rescue operation progressed. The incident has raised concerns about safety measures and regulations on boat operations in the area, with authorities working to establish the cause and prevent future accidents.
Key points
- At least 7 people are missing after a boat capsized in Benue State, Nigeria.
- The incident occurred while the boat was ferrying over 120 passengers across the River Benue.
- Authorities have commenced investigations and rescue operations, with concerns raised about safety measures and regulations on boat operations.
