Benue Boat Capsizes During Burial Trip, 11 Feared Dead

A vessel transporting funeral guests capsized in a Benue State river on Saturday evening, resulting in at least eleven deaths. The boat, which was carrying approximately forty passengers returning to Daududawada community on an island settlement, went down between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. as severe rainfall and strong winds swept across the Makurdi area.

The community is situated behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering barracks on the northern bank of the river. According to accounts from local sources and vigilante group leaders, the deceased included one pregnant woman, six children, and four adults.

Recovery efforts began immediately, with local vigilante operatives conducting search sweeps along the northern riverbank. Four bodies had been recovered as of Sunday, though the total death toll remained uncertain pending completion of the search operation.

The boat's passengers were returning from a burial ceremony when the accident occurred. One local source identified only as Daniel confirmed the incident to journalists in a telephone interview on Sunday, noting the sudden deterioration of weather conditions as the vessel was mid-crossing.

The northern bank area where search operations were concentrated lies adjacent to military installations in Makurdi's north sector. Authorities have not yet released official statements regarding the total number of survivors or the boat's operational status prior to the incident.

The search operation was ongoing as of Sunday, with local vigilance groups and community members continuing recovery efforts along the affected riverbanks.