NSIB launches investigation into Benue boat accident that killed 11

An investigation into the Benue State boat disaster, which claimed 11 lives, has been launched by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). Captain Alex Badeh Jr., serving as the bureau's director general and chief executive officer, headed a team that traveled to the incident site on Wednesday.

Their purpose was to examine safety conditions and obtain statements from residents and stakeholders affected by the tragedy. As part of its investigative efforts, the team traveled to Wadata on the Benue River to understand the circumstances that caused the accident.

Interviews with community members and witnesses were conducted by officials seeking to reconstruct what occurred. The fieldwork and testimony gathered during these site visits will support the broader investigation.

Through a Thursday statement signed by Mr Funk Adebayo Arowojob, director of public affairs at the NSIB, the bureau described the investigation as contributing to wider initiatives aimed at improving safety across Nigeria's inland waterways. Strengthening safety measures represents a core objective, with the bureau committed to using the collected information to avert future tragedies.

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia praised the NSIB's prompt mobilization and investigative response to the accident. The ongoing inquiry continues to examine protocols and conditions that may have played a role in the disaster.