More than 70 passengers have been rescued while about six others remain missing following a boat mishap on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Buruku crossing on the Benue River, Benue State.
The boat, transporting residents from Gboko Local Government Area across the river for a burial ceremony, sank at approximately 11:00 a.m. after suffering an engine failure mid-transit.
Confirming the development to journalists, Buruku Local Government Council Chairman Raymond Zege stated that the engine breakdown triggered widespread panic among the passengers, exacerbated by overcrowding and a general lack of experience on water transport.
Narrating the incident, Zege said: “Yes, there were people from Gboko LG. They went for burial across the other side. On their way, they overloaded a boat but the issue was that the engine of the boat failed.
“Most of them are not conversant with the water side, so they panicked and struggled with their movement. So before they could get them to the boats they were bringing to rescue them, because of the weight and the water waves, the boat sank.
“As I am speaking with you, we don’t know the exact number of people that are still missing. We have rescued over 70 people and we have not seen about six people.”
Commissioner reacts…
In Makurdi, the Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Denis Iyaghigba, confirmed to newsmen that he had received reports of the boat mishap at the Buruku crossing.
He assured the public, particularly the families of passengers aboard the vessel, that every effort will be made to guarantee their safety, urging calm as official reports are compiled by relevant authorities.
Preliminary reports indicate that a strong river current swept the passenger-laden boat against an abandoned barge near a bend in the river, causing the vessel to capsize.
“I have directed the boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and assist in the ongoing search and rescue operation. Further details will be communicated as the rescue operation progresses,” Iyaghigba said.
