Police Confirm 2 Dead, 64 Rescued In Benue Boat Mishap

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of two mourners following a boat mishap at the Buruku crossing point on River Katsina-Ala in Buruku Local Government Area of the state.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the boat, which was carrying about 70 mourners from neighbouring Gboko Local Government Area, capsized on Saturday, leaving several passengers unaccounted for.

The mourners had crossed the Buruku crossing point to attend a burial ceremony and were returning to their respective destinations when the incident occurred.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, said search and rescue operations were ongoing in the river for possible survivors.

He said the exact number of people aboard the boat could not be immediately established because there was no proper record of the passengers.

“I can tell you that two people were confirmed dead, while 64 passengers were rescued. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. There is no proper record of the occupants of the boat, and it will be difficult to know the exact number of passengers who were in the boat,” he said.

LEADERSHIP earlier reported that the Benue State Government had suspended the activities of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers (NUMW), River Buruku branch, with immediate effect following the incident.

The Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, gave the order after paying an on-the-spot assessment visit to the scene of the accident on Saturday.

In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Public Orientation, Office of the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Lubem Gena, the commissioner also ordered the suspension of the line operator and the arrest and detention of the boat skipper involved in the incident.

According to the statement, the ministry had activated its search and rescue operations and was working with local divers to intensify the exercise.

Iyaghigba also said an inter-ministerial committee would be constituted to investigate and establish the immediate, remote and underlying causes of the mishap.

He ordered strict compliance with the mandatory use of life jackets at all river crossing points across the state.

The statement added that the owner of an abandoned barge believed to have contributed to the accident had been given a seven-day ultimatum to evacuate it from the crossing point or risk confiscation by the state government.

The commissioner said he was also working closely with relevant ministries, departments and agencies to further investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and strengthen safety measures on the state’s waterways.

The government said further details would be made available as investigations and rescue efforts continue.