Boat mishap: Benue orders arrest, detention of skipper, suspends maritime workers’ union

By Benedicta Aboh

The Benue State Government has ordered the arrest and detention of the skipper of the wooden boat that capsized at the Buruku crossing point on Saturday, leaving several passengers unaccounted for.

The government also suspended the Buruku crossing point branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers, NUMW, and ordered the suspension of the line operator following the mishap on the River Katsina-Ala.

The Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Denis Ter Iyaghigba, issued the directives after conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the scene of the accident.

The measures, according to the government, were aimed at establishing the circumstances surrounding the mishap, preventing a recurrence and enforcing safety regulations at river crossing points across the state.

A statement by the Head, Media and Public Orientation, Office of the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Lubem Gena, said the ministry had activated search and rescue operations following the accident.

It said the operation was being conducted in collaboration with local divers to intensify efforts to locate passengers who remained unaccounted for after some of those aboard the boat were rescued.

The statement quoted Iyaghigba as directing that the boat skipper be arrested and detained pending the outcome of investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

He also ordered the suspension of the line operator and the Buruku crossing point branch of NUMW.

According to him, the government was determined to establish the immediate and underlying causes of the mishap and take appropriate measures to strengthen safety on the state's waterways.

“The Ministry has since activated its search and rescue processes and is working with local divers to intensify the search and rescue,” the Commissioner said.

Iyaghigba disclosed that an inter-ministerial committee had been constituted to investigate the incident and establish its immediate, remote and underlying causes.

He said the committee would examine the circumstances surrounding the accident and make recommendations aimed at strengthening safety standards at river crossing points across the state.

The Commissioner also ordered strict compliance with the mandatory use of life jackets at all river crossing points in Benue.

He said the directive was part of measures to protect passengers and prevent avoidable loss of lives on the state's waterways.

Iyaghigba further expressed concern over an abandoned barge at the crossing point which was believed to have contributed to the accident.

He consequently issued the owner of the abandoned barge a seven-day ultimatum to remove it from the crossing point or risk its confiscation by the state government.

The statement said the Commissioner would work with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, during the week to further investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and strengthen safety measures across the state's waterways.

“The government said further details would be made available, but at the moment, investigations and rescue efforts continue,” the statement added.

The latest development followed the Saturday boat mishap at the Buruku crossing point, where a wooden boat conveying passengers across the River Katsina-Ala capsized.

Several passengers were rescued after the boat overturned, while others remained unaccounted for, prompting the activation of search and rescue operations by the state government.