Numerous individuals are feared missing once a wooden boat carrying further than 70 mourners and over 30 motorcycles overturned although crossing the River Katsina-Ala in Buruku Community Government Area of Benue Status.
Iyaghigba said his ministry had received preliminary statistics around the accident and appealed to relatives of the passengers and members of the society to stay calm although rescue teams worked to establish the count of audience involved.
The council chairman said authorities had yet to establish the accurate count of missing persons, even though greater than 60 passengers had reportedly been rescued.
He disclosed that the area government had supplied life jackets for humans utilizing the course, but said enforcement had periodically been difficult because some commuters declined to utilize the safety equipment.
An eyewitness said the wooden boat was severely overloaded together with passengers and motorcycles earlier than its engine reportedly developed a fault during the journey.
But numerous persons have not been seen as we speak.”
“Several persons have been rescued, but as we speak, I cannot tell you the existing quantity of persons that have not been seen or rescued from the river owing to the point that the investigate is still current.
“At the time we speak, we do not recognize the figure of persons missing. Explore and rescue operations are continuing,” he said.
So far we have not seen on six persons, but we have rescued over 60.
“Now and then the maritime officials come for enforcement, including at night. Persons should cooperate alongside them given that the safety measures are meant to secure lives,” he said.
“I have received preliminary reports of an unfortunate boat mishap at the Buruku crossing matter this morning, Saturday, 3rd October, 2026,” Iyaghigba said.
Meanwhile, the Benue Declare Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, too confirmed the incident in a expression issued on Saturday.
In the middle of the expedition the engine of the boat failed, and they became panicky.
They boarded a boat which was overloaded including over 70 persons.
“We have provided the jackets, and the condition government is too supporting efforts to confirm that maritime safety regulations are enforced,” he said.
The chairman additional said maritime officials routinely conduct enforcement operations and urged commuters to cooperate alongside them.
Different occupants were reportedly rescued from the water, whereas pursue and rescue personnel continued efforts to locate those who remained unaccounted for as of Saturday afternoon.
He added that “continued details will be communicated as the rescue operation progresses.”
According to him, “The victims were mourners from Gboko who went for a burial on the other side of the river.
“And they furthermore ran into a heavy wave, and the boat capsized earlier than the boat that was sent to rescue them got to them.”
According to the eyewitness, “The boat was overloaded including several community and over 30 motorcycles, and they were coming from the Logo LGA side of the River at concerning 11am when the incident happened.
The passengers, most of whom were said to be from Mbayon in Gboko Area Government Area, were returning later than attending the burial of a relative on the opposite side of the river when the boat capsized.
Zege said the boat was carrying greater than 70 persons when its engine stopped operating in the middle of the obtain travel, causing panic amid those on board.
When they come and the maritime workers test to enforce the law, some commuters complain that they have health issues or that they do not desire to provide life jackets used by other individuals. There is a law, and we have provided life jackets for every commuter crossing that route.
“Community can be highly difficult.
The incident reportedly occurred concerning 11am on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Buruku river crossing proposal.
The commissioner said he had instructed boat operators and their union downstream to connect the in progress rescue operation.
The Chairman of Buruku Regional Government Area, Raymond Zege, confirmed the mishap, explaining that the passengers were mourners from Gboko who had travelled across the river for a burial ceremony.
“I wish to assure members of the people, particularly families of those who may have been aboard the boat, to persist calm and await verified details from the right authorities. No effort will be spared to secure their safety.”
Zege urged passengers applying the waterway to attention maritime safety guidelines, specifically so by wearing life jackets during crossings.
“I have directed the boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and support in the current look for and rescue operation,” he said.
As of the time of filing this announce, rescue operations were still underway, using authorities yet to furnish a final account of the entire whole of individuals aboard the boat or the confirmed count of those still missing.
Benue: A lot of missing as boat carrying over 70 mourners capsizes
Source: Benue: Many missing as boat carrying over 70 mourners capsizes
