Several people are feared missing after a wooden boat conveying more than 70 mourners and over 30 motorcycles capsized while crossing the River Katsina-Ala in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
The accident occurred at about 11am on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Buruku river crossing point.
The passengers, reportedly from Mbayon in Gboko Local Government Area, were returning from a burial ceremony held on the opposite side of the river when the boat overturned.
An eyewitness said the vessel was heavily overloaded before its engine reportedly developed a fault during the journey.
“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 the search is still ongoing. But many persons have not been seen as we speak,” the eyewitness said.
The Chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Raymond Zege, confirmed the incident, saying the passengers were mourners who had travelled from Gboko for the burial.
According to Zege, the boat was carrying more than 70 people when its engine stopped while it was in the middle of the river.
He said the situation became chaotic after the engine failure, with the boat subsequently encountering a strong wave and capsizing before another vessel sent to assist could reach it.
“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 council chairman said more than 60 people had so far been rescued, while the exact number of missing passengers remained unclear.
“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 are ongoing,” he said.
Zege urged people who use the river crossing to comply with maritime safety regulations, particularly the use of life jackets.
He said the local government had provided life jackets for commuters but acknowledged that enforcing their use had sometimes been difficult because some passengers refused to wear them.
The chairman appealed to residents to cooperate with maritime officials during safety enforcement operations, stressing that the measures were designed to prevent loss of lives.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, confirmed that his ministry had received preliminary information about the mishap.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Iyaghigba urged relatives of those who may have been on the boat and members of the public to remain calm while authorities worked to establish the number of passengers involved.
Also Read: Why police can’t rescue kidnapped corps members despite locating hideout — Imo CP
“I have received preliminary reports of an unfortunate boat mishap at the Buruku crossing point this morning, Saturday, 3rd October, 2026,” the commissioner said.
He assured families that authorities were making efforts to account for everyone involved and directed boat operators and their union downstream to participate in the search.
“I have directed the boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and assist in the ongoing search and rescue operation,” Iyaghigba added.
He said further information would be released as the operation progressed.
As of Saturday afternoon, rescue teams were still searching the river, while authorities had yet to confirm the final number of passengers who were aboard the boat or those still unaccounted for.