A wooden boat carrying more than 120 passengers capsized at the Buruku crossing point on the River Benue in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday morning, leaving at least seven people missing. Rescue operations were still underway hours after the incident, with witnesses confirming that over 120 people had been rescued.
Incident Details and Rescue Efforts
The boat overturned at approximately 11am on Saturday while transporting passengers across the river. According to Dailytrust, a maritime worker at the crossing point, who spoke anonymously by telephone, confirmed that search efforts continued hours after the vessel went down. "Seven people are still missing as of 2:30pm, and efforts are currently ongoing to find them," he said.
A witness named Fanen stated that the boat was carrying mostly mourners returning from a burial ceremony, along with 35 motorcycles. The incident occurred on the return journey, and the exact circumstances leading to the capsizing are still being investigated.
Official Statements on the Cause
Buruku LGA Chairman Raymond Aondoakura, speaking to journalists in Makurdi by telephone, attributed the disaster to engine failure, overloading, and strong waves. He also noted that many passengers had no experience with water travel. "Some of them were not conversant with the water, and they panicked while struggling to survive. Before rescuers could reach them, the boat had already sunk," Aondoakura said.
The chairman placed the number of rescued individuals at over 70, while acknowledging that around six persons were still unaccounted for. He stressed that life jacket compliance remained a persistent problem on the river. "People can be very difficult. There is a law, and we have provided life jackets for every commuter crossing that route. When they come and the maritime workers try to enforce the law, some commuters complain that they have health issues or that they do not want to share life jackets," he added.
Investigation and Response
Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy Denis Ter Iyaghigba, in a statement issued on Saturday, said early reports suggested that a strong water current pushed the boat into an abandoned barge at a bend in the river, causing it to overturn. He said he had directed boat operators and their union downstream to join the search and rescue effort, and urged families of those who may have been aboard to stay calm while waiting for verified information.
The Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Makurdi, Andrew Mdama Ndahi, confirmed that the agency had begun a preliminary investigation into the incident. "We are already investigating to ascertain what actually happened. We are waiting for the details, and I will personally visit the scene on Monday," Ndahi said.
This incident follows a similar tragedy in August when at least 46 people died after a boat carrying 77 passengers capsized in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, as confirmed by the state Police Command. The ongoing search for the missing passengers in Benue State continues, with authorities urging calm and cooperation from the public.
