By John Unwaba
A wooden boat conveying more than 70 mourners and over 30 motorcycles across the River Katsina-Ala in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State capsized yesterday, leaving several passengers unaccounted for.
The incident occurred at about 11am at the Buruku crossing point as the mourners, mostly from Mbayon in Gboko Local Government Area, were returning from the burial of a relation on the other side of the river.
More than 60 passengers were reportedly rescued as of Saturday afternoon, while search and rescue operations continued for those still missing.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Mr Raymond Zege, said the boat was carrying more than 70 people when its engine reportedly failed midway through the return journey.
According to him, the passengers panicked after the engine failure and the boat subsequently encountered a heavy wave, causing it to capsize before a rescue boat could reach them.
He said: “The victims were mourners from Gboko who went for a burial on the other side of the river. They boarded a boat which was overloaded with over 70 persons. In the middle of the journey the engine of the boat failed and they became panicky.
“And they also ran into a heavy wave and the boat capsized before the boat that was sent to rescue them got to them.”
Zege said the exact number of missing passengers had yet to be established, but disclosed that about six people had not been accounted for at the time of filing the report.
“At the time we speak, 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 is ongoing,” he said.
An eyewitness said the boat appeared heavily overloaded, with more than 30 motorcycles also being transported.
The eyewitness said the boat was travelling from the Logo Local Government Area side of the river when the incident occurred.
“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,” the eyewitness said.
Zege appealed to residents and other 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 route, but noted that some passengers sometimes resisted efforts by maritime officials to enforce their use.
“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 used by other people,” he said.
“We have provided the jackets, and the state government is also supporting efforts to ensure that maritime safety regulations are enforced.”
The chairman urged commuters to cooperate with maritime officials, saying the safety measures were designed to protect lives.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Denis Iyaghigba, confirmed the mishap in a statement he personally signed yesterday.
Iyaghigba said he had received preliminary reports of the incident and urged families and members of the public to remain calm while authorities worked to establish the number of people involved and locate those still missing.
“I have received preliminary reports of an unfortunate boat mishap at the Buruku crossing point this morning, Saturday, 3rd October, 2026,” he said.
“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 boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and support the ongoing search and rescue operation.
“I have directed the boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and assist in the ongoing search and rescue operation,” he said.
He added that further details would be communicated as the rescue operation progressed.
As of press time, search and rescue operations were still ongoing, while authorities had yet to establish the final number of passengers aboard the boat or those still missing.
