Benue River Boat Mishap: Over 70 Rescued, Six Missing As Engine Fails, Boat Overturns

Ayomide Awe

More than 70 passengers have been rescued while about six others remained missing following a boat mishap at the Buruku crossing point on the Benue River in Benue State.

The incident occurred around 11am on Saturday when the boat, reportedly carrying passengers from Gboko Local Government Area to attend a burial ceremony across the river, ran into trouble and eventually capsized.

PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the boat was carrying a large number of passengers when its engine reportedly failed, triggering panic among the occupants.

The Chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Raymond Zege, confirmed the incident, saying the situation became critical when the passengers panicked and struggled inside the boat.

Zege explained that efforts were made to deploy other boats to rescue those aboard the distressed vessel, but the weight of the boat and strong waves complicated the operation.

He said, “Yes, there were people from Gboko LG. They went for burial across the other side. On their way, they overloaded a boat but the issue was that the engine of the boat failed.

“Most of them are not conversant with the water side, so they panicked and struggled with their movement. So before they could get them to the boats they were bringing to rescue them, because of the weight and the water waves, the boat sank.”

The council chairman said rescuers had so far saved more than 70 passengers but could not immediately account for about six others.

“As I am speaking with you, we don’t know the exact number of people that are still missing. We have rescued over 70 people and we have not seen about six people,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, confirmed that the government had received preliminary reports of the accident and directed that rescue efforts be intensified.

In a statement issued in Makurdi, Iyaghigba urged relatives of passengers who might have been aboard the vessel to remain calm while authorities work to establish the actual number of people involved.

According to him, preliminary information indicated that a strong water current swept the passenger boat into an abandoned barge positioned at a corner of the river, causing the boat to tumble.

He said he had directed boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and join the search and rescue operation.

“I have directed the boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and assist in the ongoing search and rescue operation. Further details will be communicated as the rescue operation progresses,” the commissioner stated.

The conflicting preliminary accounts on the cause of the accident—engine failure and overloading according to the Buruku council chairman, and a strong current pushing the boat into an abandoned barge according to the marine commissioner—could not immediately be reconciled.

Zege also expressed concern over what he described as resistance by some river commuters to maritime safety regulations, particularly the use of life jackets.

He said the government had provided life jackets for commuters using the route but that some passengers allegedly resisted wearing them.

“There is a law, and we have provided life jackets for every commuter crossing that route,” he said.

According to him, some commuters complain about sharing life jackets because of fears of contracting illnesses, despite efforts by maritime officials to enforce safety regulations.