Bodies recovered after Benue boat capsize as search continues

Bodies have been recovered after Saturday’s boat capsize at the Buruku crossing in Benue State, but Sunday’s accounts differed on how many people had died and how many were still missing.

Punch quoted the Benue State Emergency Management Agency as saying four bodies had been recovered and nine people remained missing. Daily Trust and Daily Post reported five bodies recovered and six people still missing, citing a maritime union spokesperson.

The wooden boat was carrying passengers returning from a burial ceremony when it overturned on October 3. Search teams were still trying to locate passengers on Sunday. NaijaTrend reported the initial accident here.

Saai Oryina, spokesperson for the Tombo Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, told Daily Trust that rescuers initially believed seven people were missing before establishing a total of 11. He said the five bodies recovered were people from Mbayion in neighbouring Gboko Local Government Area.

In Punch’s account, the emergency management agency said those whose bodies had been recovered included a cleric identified as Rev. Fr. Moses Tsuagh. The agency also reported that motorcycles remained under water.

Benue State has suspended the Buruku crossing-point branch of the maritime workers’ union and the line operator. Punch and Daily Trust reported that the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy ordered the boat skipper’s arrest and detention during a visit to the scene. An arrest order does not establish that the skipper has been taken into custody.

Daily Trust reported that the ministry was working with local divers on the search. The commissioner directed mandatory use of life jackets at river crossings across the state and gave the owner of an abandoned barge believed to have contributed to the accident seven days to remove it or risk confiscation.

Sources: Punch, Daily Trust, Daily Post