20 Feared Dead In Benue Boat Mishap

Over 20 people were killed when a wooden boat capsized while crossing passengers on River Benue in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue to Nasarawa State.

Our correspondent gathered from a local that most of the victims were traders, the origin of whom is Agatu from Nasarawa State, who went home after trading at Ocholonya market in Agatu LG.

An eyewitness, who identified himself as Ameh, said in a telephone conversation, ” The wooden boat was overloaded with goods and passengers, primarily traders of Agatu origin residing in Toto and Doma LGAs in Nasarawa State who came to the Ocholonya market to trade.

He said they were crossing to Odenyi in Nasarawa after the market. I was in Ijaha around 8 p.m. when I heard women crying and shouting that the boat carrying the traders to the Nasarawa side of the river had sunk before reaching the shore.

According to Ameh, ‘The canoe was overloaded, and despite advice and pleas from some passengers to wait for the second batch of the boat, it fell on deaf ears as everybody insisted on going simultaneously.
He said, “In the middle of the river, the wooden canoe hit a tree and broke in pieces, leading to the death of over 20 passengers, primarily women and children.

He said local divers in their numbers embarked on a rescue mission and recovered over 20 corpses; however, many persons are still missing, but the search is ongoing.

When contacted through a telephone conversation, the council Chairman Melvin Ejeh, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that about 20 corpses had already been recovered, adding that rescue efforts by local divers are still ongoing.

He said, “I believe shrubs in the river obstructed the sailor’s view, and when the canoe hit the trees, it crashed and capsized.”

According to him, this is very shocking. Almost all the victims are Agatu traders from Odadu, Rukubi, Agbashi, Ajima, and other communities in Nasarawa State who have been coming to the Ocholonya market to trade, and on their way back on Saturday, the incident occurred.

“All efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, failed as her number was disconnected.