How wooden boat conveying over 70 mourners capsized in Benue, many still missing

By Johnson Arua

A wooden boat conveying over 70 mourners and more than 30 motorcycles across River Katsina-Ala at the Buruku crossing point in Benue State capsized Saturday morning, leaving several persons missing.

The incident occurred at about 11am when the mourners, mostly from Mbayion in Gboko Local Government Area, LGA, were returning from a burial ceremony on the Logo side of the river.

An eyewitness in the area said the boat was heavily overloaded when its engine reportedly developed a fault midway into the journey.

He said, “The boat was overloaded with many people and over 30 motorcycles and they were coming from the Logo LGA side of the river at about 11am when the incident happened.

“Many persons have been rescued but, as we speak, I cannot tell you the actual number of persons that have not been seen or rescued from the river because search is still ongoing. But many persons have not been seen as we speak.”

Confirming the incident, Chairman of Buruku LGA, Mr Raymond Zege, said the victims were mourners from Gboko who had attended a burial ceremony across the river.

Zege said the boat, which was overloaded with more than 70 persons, developed an engine fault in the middle of the journey, causing panic among the passengers.

According to him, the situation worsened when the boat encountered a heavy wave and subsequently capsized before another boat dispatched for rescue could reach it.

He said, “At the moment, we do not know the number of persons missing. So far, we have not seen about six persons, but we have rescued over 60. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.”

The chairman urged commuters using the waterway to comply with maritime safety regulations, particularly the use of life jackets.

He said the local government had provided life jackets for commuters using the crossing point, but some passengers often resist wearing them despite efforts by maritime workers to enforce safety measures.

“People can be very difficult. There is a law, and we have provided life jackets for every commuter crossing that route.

“When they come and the maritime workers try to enforce the law, some commuters complain that they have health issues or that they do not want to share life jackets.

“We have provided the jackets, and the state government is also supporting efforts to ensure that maritime safety regulations are enforced.

“Sometimes the maritime officials come for enforcement, including at night. People should cooperate with them because the safety measures are meant to protect lives,” Zege said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Benue State, Hon. Denis Ter Iyaghigba, in a statement he personally signed, confirmed the boat mishap and appealed for calm.

Iyaghigba said preliminary reports indicated that the boat was ferrying passengers when a strong water current swept it into an abandoned barge at a corner of the river, causing it to tumble.

He said, “I have received preliminary reports of an unfortunate boat mishap at the Buruku crossing point this morning, Saturday, 3rd October, 2026.

“I wish to assure members of the public, particularly families of those who may have been aboard the boat, to remain calm and await verified information from the appropriate authorities.

“No effort will be spared to ensure their safety.”

The commissioner said he had directed the boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and assist in the ongoing search and rescue operation.

He added that further details would be communicated as the rescue operation progresses.

Search and rescue efforts were still ongoing as of the time of filing this report, while authorities had yet to establish the exact number of persons still missing.