11 Feared Dead as Boat Carrying Mourners Capsizes in Benue

11 Feared Dead as Boat Carrying Mourners Capsizes in Benue

A tragic Benue boat accident has left at least 11 people feared dead, including a pregnant woman and six children, after a boat carrying mourners capsized on the River Benue in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. as passengers were returning from a burial ceremony in Wadata to Daududawada community, an island settlement located behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) Barracks in the North Bank area of Makurdi.

Witnesses said the boat overturned during a heavy rainstorm accompanied by strong winds, throwing dozens of passengers into the river.

Confirming the incident, Commander of Operation Shara (Sweep), a local vigilante group operating in the North Bank area, Nura Umar, disclosed that the victims included a pregnant woman, six children and four other adults.

According to Umar, the passengers were returning home after attending the burial of a woman from their community who died earlier on Saturday while receiving treatment at a private hospital in the North Bank area.

He explained that the deceased woman had been transported from Daududawada to the hospital for medical treatment but later passed away. Following her death, relatives and community members gathered in Wadata for her burial before embarking on the return journey by boat.

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Umar said the decision to travel by water was influenced by the shorter distance between Wadata and Daududawada compared to the road route.

He recounted that shortly after the journey began, adverse weather conditions struck the area, causing panic among passengers before the vessel eventually capsized.

“There were over 40 passengers on board when the rain and strong winds started. The boat overturned midway through the journey, leaving many struggling in the water,” he said.

According to him, at least 11 persons are feared dead, while several others were rescued by local divers and volunteers who immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation.

He revealed that four bodies had been recovered and buried, while efforts were still ongoing to locate the remaining victims.

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the tragedy involved a woman who survived the accident but lost her baby during the struggle to stay alive.

According to Umar, the woman had strapped the child to her back before the journey. However, amid the chaos that followed the capsizing, she lost hold of the baby while trying to swim to safety.

Despite efforts to rescue the child, the baby reportedly drowned after swallowing a large amount of water.

The latest boat mishap in Benue State has once again highlighted growing concerns over the safety of water transportation in riverine communities, where boats remain the primary means of movement for thousands of residents.

Stakeholders have repeatedly raised concerns about inadequate safety measures, overcrowding of boats, lack of life jackets and the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions on inland waterways.

Benue State has recorded several fatal boat accidents in recent years, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and increased government investment in water transport infrastructure.

Earlier incidents in parts of the state led authorities to advocate compulsory use of life jackets and improved monitoring of boat operations. However, many communities continue to face challenges in accessing safety equipment and reliable transportation alternatives.

As of the time of filing this report, local divers and emergency volunteers were still searching the River Benue for the remaining missing passengers, while state authorities had yet to issue a detailed official statement on the tragedy.

The incident has thrown the Daududawada community into mourning, with families anxiously awaiting news about loved ones who remain unaccounted for.

11 Feared Dead as Boat Carrying Mourners Capsizes in Benue