A tragic boat accident occurred in Benue State, Nigeria, at the Buruku crossing point in River Katsina-Ala, claiming multiple lives. The incident involved a wooden boat carrying over 100 mourners and passengers returning from a funeral. The boat capsized on Saturday, and since then, rescue operations have been underway to locate missing persons and recover bodies.
Emmanuel Apaa, a father who lost two sons in the accident, has expressed his desire to recover their bodies for burial. Apaa joined the rescue operations, and as of the latest update, five people have been recovered, but his two sons remain unaccounted for. He is praying for their bodies to be brought out of the water so that he can give them a proper burial.
Among those confirmed dead was Rev. Moses Tswakpe, a priest of the Anglican Communion. His remains were buried on October 3, 2026, and the Gboko Diocese of the Anglican Communion paid tribute to him on their Facebook page, praying for his soul to rest in peace. The diocese remembered him as a devoted member of their community.
The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (Benue-SEMA) has been actively involved in the rescue efforts. According to their assessment, 107 passengers and 38 Bajaj motorcycles were involved in the boat capsize. So far, at least four dead bodies have been recovered, and more than 30 people are believed to be missing.
Benue-SEMA's Head of Information Unit, Tema Ager, provided an update on the rescue operations. Out of the 11 persons reported missing, three have been found dead, while eight remain unaccounted for. Additionally, 10 of the 38 motorcycles have been recovered, and efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining 28 motorcycles and the missing persons.
The community is still reeling from the shock of the tragic incident. The Gboko Diocese's post on Facebook reflected the somber mood, describing Rev. Moses Tswakpe's passing as a "painful reality." The incident has left many families, including Apaa's, seeking closure as they wait for news about their loved ones.
As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on locating the missing persons and providing support to the affected families. Benue-SEMA and other stakeholders are working together to ensure that all necessary resources are deployed to bring the situation under control and provide closure to the families affected by this tragic incident.
Key points
- A father, Emmanuel Apaa, lost two sons in the boat accident and is praying for their bodies to be recovered for burial.
- Rev. Moses Tswakpe, a priest of the Anglican Communion, was among those confirmed dead in the incident.
- Benue-SEMA reports that at least four dead bodies have been recovered, and more than 30 people are believed to be missing.
