Nigerian Government Investigates Benue Boat Accident

The Nigerian government has commenced an investigation into a boat accident in Benue State that claimed 11 lives. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), led by Director General Alex Badeh Jr., announced the investigation in a statement released on Thursday, signed by Funk Adebayo Arowojob, Director of Public Affairs.

A team from NSIB conducted a safety assessment visit to Wadata along the River Benue on Wednesday as part of their efforts to gather firsthand information regarding the circumstances of the tragedy. Governor Hyacinth Alia commended the bureau's swift response and called for a stronger, sustained presence of NSIB in the state to support safety advocacy and risk reduction initiatives along the River Benue.

During a media briefing, Badeh expressed condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized the need for greater compliance with safety measures to prevent future accidents. The visit aimed to engage directly with the community reliant on water transport for their daily livelihoods.