A catastrophic boat accident at Buruku river crossing in Benue State has left at least six people dead and several others missing, with most victims identified as students returning to school.
The wooden passenger vessel sank around 11:00pm Monday while ferrying people and vehicles across the river in Buruku Local Government Area. Witnesses report the boat was dangerously overcrowded at the time of the incident.
“There were over 45 people aboard, plus vehicles—it was simply overloaded,” an eyewitness explained, calling the disaster “completely avoidable.” Approximately 35 passengers were pulled from the water alive, but the full extent of casualties remains unclear as search efforts continue.
Most victims were students heading to schools in Gboko and surrounding communities when tragedy struck midway across the river.
Local residents expressed frustration over recurring waterway accidents. “Every year we see this same tragedy unfold. Officials make promises, but nothing meaningful changes to protect those who depend on these crossings,” the witness said.
Benue’s Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, described receiving news of the incident with “grave concern and deep distress.” In a statement released through his media aide Lubem Gena, he called it “a painful reminder of the dangers posed by unsafe, unregulated inland water transport.”
The ministry has launched a comprehensive investigation examining potential safety violations, operator negligence, and environmental factors contributing to the accident. Recovery operations are ongoing.
Iyaghigba pledged stricter enforcement ahead, including mandatory vessel inspections, operator licensing requirements, passenger safety programs, and enhanced monitoring of river transport statewide.
“Recklessness will no longer be tolerated,” the commissioner warned, emphasizing that Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration prioritizes citizen safety. “Economic development must never come at the expense of human lives.”
Local Government Chairman Raymond Zege and Police spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet could not be reached for comment at press time.
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