By Obah Sylva
The Benue State Government has ordered the arrest and detention of the skipper involved in the Buruku boat accident and suspended the local branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers (NUMW). The government also suspended the crossing-point line operator and set up an inquiry as search efforts continued.
Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy Denis Iyaghigba announced the measures after visiting the scene at the Buruku crossing point on the River Katsina-Ala, Vanguard reported.
Key Highlights
- Benue ordered the skipper’s arrest and detention pending investigation.
- The Buruku branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers and the crossing-point line operator were suspended.
- The government activated search operations with local divers and appointed an inter-ministerial committee.
- More than 70 mourners were reportedly aboard the wooden boat; more than 60 were rescued in early updates.
- Premium Times reported on October 4 that six people had died; casualty figures were still being updated.
- The state ordered strict life-jacket enforcement and gave an abandoned barge’s owner seven days to remove it.
Benue Government Orders Skipper’s Arrest
Iyaghigba directed that the skipper be arrested and detained while investigators examine the circumstances of the accident. The state also ordered the suspension of the line operator at the crossing point as part of its immediate response.
The directives followed the capsizing of a wooden boat carrying passengers across the River Katsina-Ala at Buruku on Saturday, October 3. The government said it was seeking to establish what led to the mishap and prevent a recurrence.
Buruku Maritime Workers’ Union Suspended
The government suspended the Buruku crossing-point branch of NUMW while the incident is investigated. The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy said it had activated a search-and-rescue operation with local divers to look for passengers who remained unaccounted for.
Authorities said further information would be released as rescue operations and investigations progress.
Over 70 Mourners Were on the Boat
The boat was reportedly carrying more than 70 mourners returning from a burial ceremony, along with over 30 motorcycles. Buruku Local Government Chairman Raymond Zege said the vessel developed an engine fault during the journey, causing panic before it capsized.
Early reports said more than 60 passengers had been rescued, while the number of missing people was uncertain. Premium Times reported on October 4 that six people had died. Figures varied across updates as authorities worked to establish how many people were aboard and their final status.
Search and Rescue Operation Continues
The Ministry said local divers and other teams were searching for people still unaccounted for. The government urged families and residents to await verified updates while officials worked to determine the full number of passengers affected.
Accounts of what caused the boat to overturn have also differed. Zege cited an engine fault, while Iyaghigba said preliminary information suggested a strong current swept the boat into an abandoned barge near a bend in the river. Investigators have not yet announced a final finding.
Committee to Investigate the Benue Boat Accident
Iyaghigba directed the formation of an inter-ministerial committee to examine the immediate, remote and underlying causes of the accident. The committee is expected to recommend measures to improve safety at river crossings across Benue State and determine whether regulations were breached.
Abandoned Barge Raises Safety Concerns
The commissioner raised concern about an abandoned barge near the crossing point, which preliminary information suggested may have contributed to the accident. The barge’s owner was given seven days to remove it or risk confiscation by the state government.
Benue Orders Mandatory Life Jackets
The state ordered strict enforcement of mandatory life-jacket use at all river crossing points. The directive is intended to improve passenger safety and reduce the risk of deaths in future waterway accidents.
The latest tragedy has also renewed questions about compliance with safety rules. Earlier reports said the local government had provided life jackets at the crossing, but some passengers resisted wearing them.
Rescue efforts and the state investigation are ongoing. Officials have not yet released a final count of everyone aboard, rescued, missing or deceased.
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