Tragic Benue Boat Accident Claims Over 20 Lives
Over 20 people lost their lives in a tragic Benue boat accident on Saturday night while crossing the River Benue in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State. The victims, mostly traders and Agatu natives from Nasarawa State, were returning home after attending the Ocholonya market in Agatu LGA.
Eyewitness Account
According to an eyewitness, the passengers were primarily Agatu people from Toto and Doma LGAs in Nasarawa State. The tragic incident occurred as they attempted to cross to Odenyi in Nasarawa State after the market.
“I was in Ijaha around 8 p.m. when I heard women crying and shouting that the boat carrying the traders sank before reaching the shore,” the eyewitness recounted.
The wooden canoe, reportedly overloaded, ignored warnings to offload some passengers due to the passengers’ urgency to return home. Midway through the journey, the vessel struck a tree and broke apart, causing many passengers to drown.
Rescue Efforts and Casualties
Local divers have since recovered around 20 bodies, with many passengers still missing. Rescue operations are ongoing as divers continue searching for survivors and victims. The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the number of casualties and described the weekend as a tragic moment for the Agatu people in both Benue and Nasarawa states.
“The victims were mainly Agatu traders from Odadu, Rukubi, Agbashi, Ajima, and other communities in Nasarawa State. They had come to Ocholonya market to trade and were on their way back when the mishap occurred,” Ejeh said.
Collaborative Efforts
Mr. Ejeh revealed that he is working closely with the Chairmen of Toto and Doma LGAs in Nasarawa State to manage the aftermath of the tragedy. Additionally, he has reached out to the Nigerian Navy for assistance in the rescue and recovery operations.
Safety Concerns on Nigeria’s Waterways
The Benue boat accident sheds light on the persistent safety issues plaguing Nigeria’s waterways. Overloaded vessels, poor enforcement of regulations, and the lack of safety measures such as life jackets have been cited as leading causes of such tragedies.
This incident highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety protocols, proper maintenance of vessels, and public awareness campaigns to prevent future accidents.
Ongoing Investigations
Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful at the time of this report, and the State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement.
This devastating accident underscores the pressing need for reforms in water transportation safety across Nigeria to ensure such tragedies do not recur.
Sources:
- Vanguard Nigeria (www.vanguardngr.com)
- Eyewitness accounts from Agatu LGA
