The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced a full-scale investigation into the boat accident that claimed 11 lives in Benue State. A statement by the bureau’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, said the investigation team is being led by the Director-General, Alex Badeh Jr.
According to the statement, the NSIB delegation arrived in Makurdi on Wednesday to conduct an on-the-spot safety assessment following the accident at Wadata on the River Benue. The visit forms part of efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the mishap and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
During the visit, the team activated family assistance protocols for victims and their relatives and engaged key stakeholders in the state’s water transport sector. The delegation was received by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ode, on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Alia, before proceeding to a meeting with the governor.
Alia commended the bureau’s swift response to the incident and called for a stronger and more permanent NSIB presence in the state to support safety advocacy and risk-reduction efforts along the River Benue. The governor stressed the need for improved public awareness, stricter operational safety standards and enhanced stakeholder engagement to reduce accidents on the state’s waterways.
Responding, Badeh Jr. reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to collaborating with state governments and other stakeholders to improve transportation safety across the country. According to him, the NSIB is committed to working with local communities, operators and regulators to institutionalise safer navigation practices on the River Benue and other inland waterways.
The Director-General also expressed condolences to the government and people of Benue State, particularly the families of the victims. He described the accident as a tragic reminder of the need for greater safety consciousness and strict compliance with established safety measures in inland water transportation.
