By Ayodele Oni
The Benue State Emergency Management Agency has confirmed the death of more than 30 persons after a boat carrying mourners capsized at the Buruku crossing point.
The Agency confirmed the death toll in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to the statement, the wooden boat capsized on Saturday, while crossing the River Katsina-Ala with mourners returning from a burial.
The mourners, mostly from Mbayon in the Gboko council area, had crossed the river to attend the burial of a relative.
Buruku Local Government Chairman Raymond Zege revealed that the boat was carrying more than 70 passengers and over 30 motorcycles.
Zege said the boat’s engine developed a fault during the journey, causing panic before it capsized.
Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy Denis Iyaghigba said a strong water current swept the boat into an abandoned barge, causing it to overturn.
More than 60 passengers were rescued, according to local officials.
Search and rescue operations, involving local divers, are continuing to locate those still missing.
Iyaghigba suspended the Buruku branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers following the incident.
He also suspended the boat’s line operator and ordered the arrest and detention of the skipper.
An inter-ministerial committee has been constituted to investigate the causes of the accident.
Iyaghigba ordered strict compliance with mandatory life jacket use at all river crossing points in the state.
He gave the owner of the abandoned barge seven days to remove it or risk confiscation.
The Buruku crossing has recorded previous accidents, including a January 2026 capsizing in which six students were feared dead.
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