A Benue boat accident at the Buruku crossing point on the River Katsina-Ala has left several people missing after a wooden boat carrying more than 70 mourners and over 30 motorcycles capsized on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
More than 60 passengers had been rescued as search-and-rescue operations continued, while the exact number of people still missing remained unclear. Buruku Local Government Chairman Raymond Zege said about six people had not been accounted for at the time of his latest update.
Key Highlights
- A wooden boat carrying more than 70 mourners capsized in Buruku, Benue State.
- The vessel was also carrying more than 30 motorcycles.
- The accident occurred at the River Katsina-Ala crossing point.
- More than 60 passengers were rescued, according to the Buruku council chairman.
- About six people were initially unaccounted for, although authorities said the final figure had not been established.
- The boat reportedly developed an engine fault during the journey.
- Witnesses and officials cited the boat’s heavy load and strong waves as factors in the accident.
- Benue authorities directed boat operators and their union to support the search operation.
- The final number of deaths, if any, had not been officially confirmed as of the latest reports.
Benue Boat Accident Occurs During Return From Burial
The Benue boat accident occurred at about 11 a.m. as the passengers were returning from a burial ceremony on the Logo Local Government Area side of the river.
Most of the mourners were reportedly from Mbayon in Gboko Local Government Area and had travelled across the river for the burial.
According to eyewitness accounts reported by Vanguard, the wooden boat was heavily loaded with passengers and motorcycles when its engine reportedly developed a fault midway through the journey. Panic followed before the boat encountered a heavy wave and overturned.
More Than 60 Passengers Rescued
Buruku Local Government Chairman Raymond Zege confirmed the incident and said more than 60 passengers had been rescued.
Zege said the boat was carrying more than 70 people when the engine failed, causing panic among passengers. He added that the search continued for those who had not been accounted for.
At the time of the latest reports, authorities had not established a definitive figure for the number of passengers who remained missing.
Strong Current And Abandoned Barge Linked To Mishap
The Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, also confirmed the accident.
A separate report from Blueprint quoted preliminary information indicating that a strong current pushed the boat into an abandoned barge at a bend in the river, contributing to the capsizing.
Iyaghigba urged families and members of the public to remain calm while authorities worked to establish the number of people involved and continued rescue efforts.
He also directed boat operators and their union downstream to mobilise and assist with the search.
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Life Jacket Compliance Raises Concern
The latest Benue boat accident has also renewed concerns about compliance with maritime safety measures at the Buruku crossing.
Zege said the local government had provided life jackets for people using the route, with support from the state government.
However, he said some passengers resist wearing the jackets, citing health concerns or discomfort with sharing equipment.
The council chairman urged commuters to cooperate with maritime officials and comply with safety regulations designed to prevent loss of life.
Buruku Crossing Faces Repeated Boat Accidents
The latest incident is not the first serious boat accident reported around the Buruku crossing.
Earlier in January 2026, a wooden boat carrying students and other passengers capsized at the crossing, with six students reported feared dead. Reports at the time also raised concerns about overloading and the condition of the waterway.
Another boat accident on the River Benue in June 2026 reportedly killed seven people and left two others missing after a vessel carrying mourners overturned during a storm in Makurdi.
The repeated incidents have increased calls for stronger enforcement of maritime safety rules, particularly at informal crossings used by communities without completed bridges.
Search Operation Continues
As of the latest reports on Saturday, search-and-rescue teams were still working to locate people who remained unaccounted for following the Buruku boat accident.
Authorities had not released a final death toll, and officials continued to urge the public to rely on verified information as the rescue operation progressed.
The immediate priority remains the recovery of any missing passengers and ensuring the safety of people who regularly depend on the Buruku crossing for transportation.
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