Six people have died after a boat carrying mourners capsized on the Buruku River in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State, months after the state government introduced stricter safety measures for water transport.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Saturday, and involved more than 70 people returning from a burial ceremony.
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Raymond Zege, chairman of Buruku Local Government, confirmed the incident to journalists on Saturday, saying the mourners were from neighbouring Gboko Local Government Area.
Mr Zege said the boat’s engine failed, causing passengers to struggle to keep the vessel afloat.
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He said another boat attempted to rescue them, but the vessel carrying the mourners encountered strong waves and overturned.
“They were people from Gboko LG. They went for a burial to cross to the other side, but on their way back they overloaded the boat and the engine failed,” he said.
Mr Zege said the passengers panicked while attempting to reach the rescue boat.
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“But before they could get to the other boat coming to rescue them, they ran into water waves, and the weight of the boat made it sink,” he said.
He said six people died in the incident.
Safety measures
The accident occurred despite measures introduced by the Benue government in January to strengthen safety on the state’s waterways.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the government announced stricter regulations following the drowning of six students in Buruku after a boat conveying them across the river capsized.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, announced the measures during a meeting with stakeholders, marine workers and security personnel at the Buruku riverbank.
Under the measures, life jackets were made compulsory for passengers, while boat operators were prohibited from overloading their vessels.
The government also restricted river transport to daytime hours, directing that all water transport operations must stop by 8 p.m. daily.
“These measures establish a rigorous safety standard for all river commuters and operators,” Mr Har said.
“Life jackets are now mandatory for every passenger, and operators must not overload their boats under any circumstances.”
Mr Har also directed operators to observe weather conditions and adopt recognised safety practices for inland water transport.
The government said enforcement of the compulsory life-jacket rule would begin fully from 1 February.
Enforcement concerns
Mr Zege said authorities had provided life jackets for people using the river crossing but acknowledged difficulties in enforcing their use.
He said some passengers complained that the jackets were uncomfortable and therefore resisted wearing them.
The latest incident has therefore raised questions about compliance with the safety measures announced by the government earlier in the year.
Mr Har had also disclosed in January that some previously donated life jackets had been vandalised and appealed to local councils and private individuals to support the provision of replacement safety equipment.
The government proposed a joint enforcement team involving the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, National Inland Waterways Authority and the state Civil Protection Guards.
READ ALSO: Another boat mishap claims 29 lives in Niger
Search and rescue
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, said he had received preliminary information about Saturday’s incident.
He said initial reports indicated that a strong water current swept the boat into an abandoned barge at a corner of the river, causing it to overturn.
Mr Iyaghigba urged families of those who may have been aboard the boat to remain calm and await verified information from the relevant authorities.
He said he had directed boat operators and their union to mobilise and assist with the ongoing search and rescue operation.
The incident adds to concerns over safety on Benue’s waterways, particularly in communities that depend on river transport for movement, trade and access to essential services.
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