At least six students have been confirmed dead following a boat accident on the Buruku River in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
The tragic incident occurred when a wooden boat, reportedly overloaded with passengers and vehicles capsized while transporting commuters back to their communities.
A local source told journalists that the boat was carrying an unusually large number of people, which may have caused it to lose balance mid-journey.
An eyewitness, a maritime worker who requested anonymity, said the passengers had delayed their crossing to allow politicians returning from a church thanksgiving service in Logo to be ferried first.
“They stopped us from boarding so the governor and his entourage could pass first. That delay forced the remaining passengers, including the students, to travel at night,” he said.
According to him, the boat eventually departed after nightfall with a heavy load.
“Midway into the journey, the boat capsized due to overloading. Most of the passengers were rescued, but six students drowned. Five bodies have been recovered so far, while search efforts are ongoing for one missing victim,” he added.
Another witness corroborated the account, blaming the incident on gross overloading.
“The boat was carrying over 45 passengers, including vehicles. It was clearly beyond its capacity,” the witness said.
A relative of one of the victims, Pastor Jethro Moor, revealed that the deceased were students from Gbeji in Ukum Local Government Area who were returning to Gboko for school.
“Two vehicles loaded with food items, along with more than 20 passengers, were on the boat. The weight was too much,” Moor said.
He added that ongoing bridge construction in the area had narrowed the navigable path on the river.
“With the bridge construction, the waterway has become tight, and the boat could not remain stable under such a heavy load,” he explained.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Raymond Zege Aondoakura, said security agencies were handling the situation.
“Rescue teams are still combing the river,” he told journalists.
When asked about the exact number of casualties, he declined to give details.
“Once the police conclude the investigation, you can call me,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dennis Iyaghigba, described the incident as a painful reminder of the dangers associated with unsafe river transportation.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Lubem Gena, the commissioner said a full investigation had been launched.
“We are examining the immediate and remote causes of the accident, including possible violations of safety regulations,” the statement read.
He also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the Buruku community.
The spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, said the command was yet to receive a formal report on the incident.
Buruku River serves as a major transport route connecting parts of Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas, as well as neighbouring Taraba State. For decades, successive governments have promised to construct a bridge across the river to ease movement, but the project remains incomplete.
