Benue State Police Confirm Two Deaths in Boat Capsize

On Saturday, a boat carrying approximately 70 mourners capsized at the Buruku crossing point on River Katsina-Ala in Buruku Local Government Area, Benue State, resulting in the confirmed deaths of two individuals and the rescue of 64 passengers. The mourners were returning from a burial ceremony in the neighboring Gboko Local Government Area when the incident occurred.

DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, stated that search and rescue operations are ongoing, although the exact number of passengers aboard the boat remains unclear due to the lack of proper passenger records. Following the incident, the Benue State Government suspended the activities of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers (NUMW), River Buruku branch, and ordered the arrest of the boat's skipper.

Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, announced that an inter-ministerial committee would investigate the causes of the mishap and emphasized the need for strict compliance with life jacket regulations at river crossing points.