Over 20 people were confirmed dead on Saturday night in a tragic boat mishap while crossing the River Benue in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA), Benue State.
Most of the victims were traders and Agatu indigenes from Nasarawa State who had been attending the Ocholonya market in Agatu LGA.
Eyewitness accounts have revealed that the majority of the victims were from Toto and Doma LGAs in Nasarawa State, who had traveled to Agatu for trade.
After the market, they attempted to return home by crossing the River Benue in a wooden canoe. However, the boat was reportedly overcrowded, and despite warnings to reduce the number of passengers, many of the traders insisted on proceeding.
An eyewitness, who was in Ijaha at the time of the incident, described the scene: “I was in Ijaha around 8 p.m. when I heard women crying and shouting. The boat carrying the traders sank before it could reach the Nasarawa shore.”
“The canoe was overloaded, and despite being warned that passengers should disembark, the pleas were ignored as they rushed to return home. Halfway through the journey, the canoe collided with a tree and broke apart, throwing many passengers into the river.”
The eyewitness added that local divers quickly mobilized to recover the bodies of some victims, but many others remain missing. The search efforts continue as divers comb the river for both survivors and victims.
The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Melvin Ejeh, confirmed the incident and provided further details. “Around 20 corpses have been recovered so far, and rescue operations are ongoing.
Most of the victims were Agatu traders from Odadu, Rukubi, Agbashi, Ajima, and other nearby communities in Nasarawa State. They had come to Ocholonya market and were on their way home when the tragedy struck.”
Mr. Ejeh explained that he had been in touch with the Chairmen of Toto and Doma LGAs in Nasarawa State, and they were working together to manage the situation.
In addition, he had reached out to the Nigerian Navy to assist with the search. The tragic incident has deeply affected the Agatu community, with members from both Benue and Nasarawa states mourning the loss of their loved ones.
The boat mishap is a reminder of the risks associated with overloading and the lack of adequate safety measures on many riverside transportation routes in Nigeria.
Local authorities are calling for greater awareness of these dangers and urging people to follow safety guidelines to prevent further tragedies.
The situation has left the Agatu community reeling, with many people left anxiously waiting for news of the missing. As the search continues, residents remain hopeful for more survivors and for the recovery of those still lost to the river.
