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

Nigerian Nurse Hit With Stone During Belfast Anti-Immigrant Riots

A Nigerian healthcare worker has become one of the latest victims of rising anti-immigrant violence in Belfast, Northern Ireland, after she was reportedly struck on the head with a stone while returning home from work in her nursing uniform.

The victim, Chinonso Uche, a Nigerian nurse who has lived and worked in Belfast for the past five years, said the incident has left her traumatised and considering leaving the country she once regarded as a safe place to live and work.

The attack comes amid a wave of unrest that has swept through Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland following a high-profile stabbing incident that sparked anti-immigration protests and violent riots.

Chinonso Uche recounted how she was attacked while walking home after completing her shift at a nursing facility. According to her, she was still dressed in her nursing uniform when a stone was thrown at her head during a period of heightened tension in the city.

The Nigerian nurse said the incident was not only physically frightening but also emotionally devastating, particularly because she has dedicated years of her life to caring for vulnerable people within Northern Ireland’s healthcare system.

“There is no safety for us — that is the truth,” she said.

Uche revealed that she moved to Belfast during the COVID-19 pandemic and has spent the last five years working in the health sector alongside her sister, who is also a nurse in Northern Ireland.

The unrest reportedly began after a violent attack on June 8, 2026, when a Sudanese national, identified as Hadi Alodid, allegedly stabbed 40-year-old Stephen Ogilvie multiple times on a Belfast street. The victim sustained severe injuries to his face, neck and back and reportedly lost his left eye as a result of the attack.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and charged with attempted murder, as well as other related offences. However, what began as public outrage over the stabbing quickly escalated into widespread anti-immigrant demonstrations, with several protests degenerating into violent riots across Belfast and surrounding communities.

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Eyewitness reports indicated that rioters set vehicles ablaze, vandalised properties and attacked homes believed to be occupied by immigrants and ethnic minority families. Several residents were forced to flee their homes as fires spread through affected neighbourhoods.

Police officers also came under attack while attempting to restore order. Authorities have since launched investigations into multiple incidents linked to hate crimes and racially motivated violence.

Political leaders across the United Kingdom have condemned the attacks, describing them as unacceptable acts of racism and criminality. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and senior Northern Ireland officials have urged calm while promising that perpetrators will be brought to justice.

Beyond the physical attack, Uche said she was shocked by the hostile reaction she received after sharing her experience online. According to her, many social media users responded with anti-immigrant comments and demands that foreign nationals leave the country.

“It was ‘Ireland is tired of immigrants, you should go back home,’” she said.

“Nobody cares what you do, even though they know I’m a nurse.”

The nurse said the comments reflected a worrying level of hostility toward migrants, many of whom play critical roles in healthcare, education and other essential sectors.

Responding to those calling for immigrants to leave Northern Ireland, Uche challenged critics to consider the consequences for public services.

“Ask yourselves who will look after your elderly parents,” she said.

Her comments have resonated with many healthcare professionals who argue that foreign workers have become indispensable to Northern Ireland’s health and social care system. Healthcare leaders have repeatedly warned that the region faces serious staffing shortages and relies heavily on international recruitment to fill critical positions.

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A significant percentage of nurses, doctors and care workers currently employed in the health sector were recruited from overseas, including countries such as Nigeria, India, the Philippines and Zimbabwe.

The attack on Uche has reignited discussions about the safety of migrant workers across the United Kingdom. Healthcare unions and advocacy groups have condemned the violence and called for stronger protections for frontline workers who contribute significantly to public services.

Many observers fear that continued attacks could discourage skilled professionals from choosing Northern Ireland as a destination for employment, potentially worsening existing workforce shortages.

Community organisations have also urged authorities to address rising racial tensions and ensure that immigrants can live and work without fear of intimidation or violence.

In response to the unrest, thousands of people have participated in anti-racism demonstrations across Belfast and other cities. Protesters carried banners promoting unity, diversity and inclusion while expressing solidarity with migrant communities affected by the violence.

Community leaders have emphasised that the actions of a single suspect should not be used to justify attacks against innocent individuals or entire communities. The family of the stabbing victim has also reportedly appealed for calm, urging members of the public not to retaliate against immigrants or ethnic minorities.

As investigations continue, many foreign nationals living in Northern Ireland say they remain anxious about their safety. For Chinonso Uche, the attack has raised difficult questions about her future in a place where she has spent years caring for others.

Her story has become a powerful symbol of the challenges facing migrant workers amid growing concerns over racism, immigration and community relations in Northern Ireland.

Nigerian Nurse Hit With Stone During Belfast Anti-Immigrant Riots

General Rabe’s Death: Tinubu Vows No Negotiation With Terrorists

The death of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar in the hands of his abductors has triggered renewed national outrage over Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu vowing that his administration will never negotiate with terrorists or release detained suspects in exchange for hostages.

The retired senior military officer, who once served as Director of Defence Information, died while in captivity nearly two weeks after he was kidnapped alongside his wife in Katsina State.

According to the Katsina State Government, the former general succumbed to health complications linked to diabetes and hypertension while being held by armed bandits. His wife remains in captivity, with security agencies continuing efforts to secure her freedom.

Major-General Abubakar and his wife were travelling to their hometown on May 30 when gunmen ambushed their vehicle along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Katsina State. Reports indicate that the attackers intercepted the vehicle, shot and injured the driver, and whisked the couple away into a forest hideout.

Subsequent investigations by state authorities suggested that the retired military officer and his wife may have been tracked from Kaduna before the attack, raising concerns that the operation was carefully planned by the kidnappers. The abduction shocked many Nigerians, particularly because of General Abubakar’s long service record and contributions to the Nigerian Armed Forces.

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About a week after the kidnapping, a video emerged online showing the retired general and his wife appealing for help while in captivity. In the footage, the kidnappers reportedly demanded the release of three detained members of their gang as a condition for freeing the couple. They also sought the return of livestock allegedly seized during security operations. The demands sparked fresh debate over whether governments should negotiate with terrorists and bandits to secure the release of hostages.

Reacting to the retired general’s death, President Tinubu said the Federal Government would not yield to pressure from terrorist groups seeking the release of suspects currently in custody. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President declared that while the terrorists had done their worst, the government would never bow to their demand to release their members.

Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to defeating terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country. He also referenced his Democracy Day address, warning criminal groups to surrender or face intensified military action.

“Bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror should now surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” the President said.

According to Tinubu, the death of General Abubakar should strengthen Nigeria’s resolve to confront terrorists without compromise and reinforce the nation’s determination never to negotiate with groups that threaten its security and stability.

The tragedy comes amid growing concerns about the spread of kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism in Nigeria. Security experts have warned that criminal groups are increasingly targeting high-profile individuals, community leaders, government officials and security personnel.

Recent incidents involving the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in parts of Oyo State have further heightened fears over the expanding reach of armed groups beyond the country’s traditional conflict zones. Analysts say the death of the retired general underscores the urgent need for stronger intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance capabilities and more coordinated security operations nationwide.

President Tinubu extended condolences to the family of the deceased officer, the Katsina State Government, and the Nigerian Armed Forces. Many serving and retired military officers have also paid tribute to General Abubakar, describing him as a patriotic soldier who dedicated decades of service to defending Nigeria.

His death has renewed calls for intensified efforts to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks operating across the country and to secure the release of all Nigerians currently being held captive. As the nation mourns, attention is now focused on ongoing efforts to rescue his wife and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

General Rabe’s Death: Tinubu Vows No Negotiation With Terrorists