A tragic boat accident on the River Benue in Makurdi, Benue State, has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 11 people, including a pregnant woman and six children.
The victims were said to be returning from a burial ceremony on Saturday night when the boat conveying them capsized amid severe weather conditions. The incident occurred between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds.
According to a local source identified as Daniel, the passengers, estimated to be over 40, were heading back to Daududawadawa, an island community located behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Barracks in the North Bank area of Makurdi.
Confirming the incident, the commander of a local vigilante group, Operation Shara (Sweep), Nura Umar, explained that the group had earlier attended the burial of a woman in Wadata before boarding the ill-fated boat for their return journey.
He stated that the boat capsized midway through the trip due to the storm. So far, four bodies have been recovered and buried, while search efforts continue for the remaining victims.
Umar also recounted a heartbreaking account of a survivor who had a baby strapped to her back but lost the child in the accident.
The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had not yet received official details of the incident. Efforts to reach the Makurdi Local Government Chairman, Joseph Keffi, were unsuccessful.
The tragedy comes just six months after the Benue State Government announced stricter safety measures aimed at curbing frequent boat accidents, including the mandatory use of life jackets.
The incident has once again raised concerns about water transport safety and enforcement of regulations across the state’s waterways.
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