Six Missing As Boat Carrying Benue MournerCapsizes

At least six people are reportedly missing after a boat carrying mourners capsized on the Buruku River in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred around 11 am on Saturday as about 70 people who had attended a burial ceremony were returning to their destination.

The Chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Raymond Zege, confirmed the incident to journalists on Saturday, saying the victims were mourners from neighbouring Gboko Local Government Area.

Zege said the mourners were travelling by boat when its engine reportedly developed a fault while they were on the river.

He said the occupants struggled to manoeuvre the boat and remain afloat, while another boat reportedly came to their rescue.

“They are people from Gboko LG; they went for a burial to cross to the other side, but on their way back they overloaded the boat and the engine failed. You know, most of them are not conversant with water sounds, and they became panic and in the process began to struggle.

“But before they could get to the other boat coming to rescue them, they ran into water waves, and the weight of the boat made it sink,” he said.

Zege said more than 70 people were on board, adding that about six had yet to be accounted for.

“There are over 70 people on board but we have not seen about six persons,” he said.

The chairman also raised concerns about compliance with safety measures among commuters, saying authorities had provided life jackets for people using the river crossing.

He said enforcement had been difficult because some passengers complained about discomfort and other reasons for not wearing the jackets.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, said he had received preliminary reports of the boat mishap.

According to him, initial information indicated that a strong water current swept the boat into an abandoned barge at a corner of the river, causing it to overturn.

“I wish to assure members of the public, particularly families of those who may have been aboard the boat, to remain calm and await verified information from the appropriate authorities. No effort will be spared to ensure their safety.

“I have directed the boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and assist in the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the commissioner said in the statement.