A devastating boat accident in Benue State has claimed the lives of at least six young students, with several others still missing following the capsizing of an overloaded wooden vessel in the Buruku River.
The incident unfolded around 10:00 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2026, in the middle of Buruku River within Buruku Local Government Area. The boat, carrying more than 45 passengers—including many students heading back to various schools in Gboko after the Christmas break—along with several vehicles, reportedly veered toward the deeper section of the river to avoid ongoing bridge construction work. Overloading proved fatal as the combined weight of people and cargo caused the vessel to take in water rapidly and sink.
Rescue teams managed to save approximately 35 survivors, but the tragedy left families in anguish as six students were confirmed dead. Bodies of the deceased have been recovered and deposited in a morgue, with preparations underway for proper burials. Search and rescue operations remain active to locate the remaining unaccounted individuals.
Eyewitness accounts pointed to lax enforcement of safety rules and poor monitoring of inland waterways as key factors that allowed such preventable disasters to occur repeatedly. One observer lamented, “This tragedy could have been avoided,” underscoring the recurring risks associated with unregulated river transport in the region.
Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Denis Iyaghigba, expressed profound grief over the loss, calling it “a painful reminder of the dangers associated with unregulated river transportation.” He pledged immediate government action, including tougher enforcement of safety standards, harsher penalties for overloading, regular inspections of boats and jetties, and widespread public awareness campaigns on water transport safety. The state administration has also committed to providing support for the bereaved families.
DSP Udeme Edet, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, acknowledged the event but noted that full details were still being gathered.
This heartbreaking event has renewed calls for improved infrastructure, such as completed bridges to replace risky ferry crossings, and stricter regulations to protect commuters—particularly vulnerable students relying on these routes during school resumption periods. As the search persists, communities in Benue mourn the young lives cut short and demand measures to prevent future occurrences.
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