Six Benue Students Feared Dead in Buruku River Boat Mishap

At least six students returning to their place of study have been reported dead following a tragic boat accident on the Buruku River in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.

Information obtained by LMSINT MEDIA revealed that the incident occurred on Monday night when the wooden boat conveying the students suddenly capsized while navigating the river.

A community source who spoke with journalists on Tuesday explained that the boat was overloaded with passengers, a situation believed to have contributed directly to the accident.

An eyewitness, identified as a maritime worker who was present at the riverside but requested anonymity, disclosed that passengers were made to delay their crossing earlier in the day. According to him, the delay happened because politicians returning from a church thanksgiving service in Logo were given priority to be ferried across the river.

He stated that attempts were made to stop other passengers from boarding so that the governor and members of his entourage could cross first. This delay, he said, forced many of the stranded passengers, including students, to attempt the crossing later at night.

The eyewitness explained that darkness had already set in by the time the remaining passengers eventually boarded the boat. Despite the large number of people onboard, the vessel proceeded on its journey.

According to his account, the boat capsized midway through the journey due to excessive loading. While many of the passengers were rescued during the incident, six students reportedly drowned. As of the time of the report, five bodies had been recovered, while rescue teams continued searching for one remaining missing victim.

Another eyewitness who confirmed the incident also attributed the tragedy to severe overloading. He revealed that the boat was carrying more than 45 passengers, in addition to vehicles, at the time of the accident.

A family member of one of the victims, Pastor Jethro Moor, identified the deceased as students from Gbeji in Ukum Local Government Area. He said they were traveling back to Gboko to resume school activities when the accident occurred.

Pastor Moor further disclosed that the boat was transporting two vehicles loaded with food supplies alongside over 20 passengers. He explained that the excessive weight made the boat unstable, especially given the current state of the river.

He added that ongoing bridge construction around the area had significantly narrowed the navigable channel, making it difficult for boats to maintain balance when overloaded. According to him, the vessel could not withstand the pressure under such conditions.

The Chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Raymond Zege Aondoakura, confirmed the incident to journalists on Tuesday. He stated that security agencies had taken over the situation and that rescue operations were still ongoing along the river.

When asked to confirm the exact number of casualties, Aondoakura declined to give details, stating that official figures would be released after the police completed their investigation.

Reacting to the development, the Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dennis Iyaghigba, expressed deep concern over the tragic incident. He described the accident as a painful reminder of the risks associated with unsafe and poorly regulated river transportation.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Lubem Gena, the commissioner announced that a comprehensive investigation had been initiated. The probe, he said, would examine both the immediate and underlying causes of the accident, including potential breaches of safety guidelines.

He also conveyed the state government’s condolences to the families of the victims and to residents of the Buruku community affected by the tragedy.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, disclosed that the command had not yet received an official report regarding the incident.

The Buruku River remains a critical water route in the state, serving as a shortcut for movement between local government areas such as Logo and parts of Ukum. Due to the absence of a functional bridge, residents rely heavily on boats for daily transportation across the river.

Over the years, successive governments, including past military administrations, have made repeated commitments to construct a bridge across the Buruku River. The proposed bridge is expected to improve transportation, ease economic activities, and facilitate movement for residents of Benue State and neighboring Taraba State.