A tragic boat mishap on the River Benue has left approximately 20 people, mostly women and children, feared dead near Ocholonya in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. The incident occurred on Saturday as traders were returning from the Ocholonya market to their base in Odenyi, Nasarawa Toto Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
Details of the Incident
Eyewitnesses and local officials confirmed that the wooden boat, carrying traders from the Ocholonya market, capsized mid-journey. Adanyi, a local resident, shared, “Yesterday was Ocholonya market day, and this market is within Agatu LGA. The people, mostly women and children, were returning to their base in Odenyi in Nasarawa State when the boat they were travelling in capsized, and all died.”
The victims were primarily traders from Apochi and Odenyi communities in Doma, Nasarawa State. It remains unclear what caused the boat to capsize.
Confirmation by Local Authorities
The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, confirmed the incident, stating, “It’s true that there was a boat mishap yesterday, and the people came to Ocholonya market. When they were returning to their base in Apochi and Odenyi, the boat capsized.”
James also highlighted the difficulty in obtaining accurate information about the casualties. “Conflicting reports suggest that 20 people have died, but no recovery of the corpses to my knowledge. Locals confirmed that divers have recovered corpses, but as chairman, I must speak authoritatively. I am in contact with divers to confirm the actual number of bodies recovered, but their lines are currently not connecting.”
He revealed that efforts are underway to establish communication with his counterpart in Nasarawa State to console the affected families.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Efforts to rescue or recover the victims have been hindered by limited resources and communication issues. Divers have reportedly recovered some bodies, but the exact number of casualties remains uncertain. James confirmed he had contacted the Nigerian Navy commander in the area to assist in the rescue operation.
Unverified Reports of Casualties
Unofficial sources indicate that around 20 corpses have been recovered, with several people still missing. However, no official tally of recovered bodies has been confirmed by the authorities.
Lack of Official Police Statement
Attempts to reach Catherine Anene, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, were unsuccessful as her phone line was unreachable at the time of reporting. This has added to the uncertainty surrounding the official details of the tragedy.
Community Response and Mourning
The communities affected are in mourning, with calls for immediate government intervention to enhance safety measures on waterways. The mishap has raised concerns about the safety of riverine transportation, particularly the use of wooden boats for commercial activities.
Conclusion
The boat mishap on the River Benue underscores the urgent need for improved safety protocols and infrastructure for water transportation. As families mourn their loved ones, authorities must intensify rescue and recovery efforts while ensuring such tragedies are prevented in the future. Further updates are expected as official figures and reports become available.
