馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
11 feared dead in Benue River boat accident
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
A boat accident on the River Benue in the Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State has left 11 people feared dead, including a pregnant woman and six children. The incident occurred on Saturday night as the victims were returning from a burial ceremony in Wadata to the Daududawadawa community, an island settlement. A local source, Daniel, reported that the boat, carrying about 40 people, capsized between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. during a heavy downpour and windstorm. Nura Umar, commander of the local vigilante group Operation Shara, confirmed the incident, stating that four bodies have been recovered and buried, while divers continue to search for others. One survivor reportedly lost a baby who was strapped to her back. The state command spokesperson, Udeme Edet, stated she had not yet received a report on the incident. This mishap follows a pledge by the state government six months prior to enforce rigorous safety measures, including the use of life jackets, to address frequent boat accidents on the state's waterways.
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