The victims were said to be mainly travellers from the Sankara area who had waited for hours at the crossing point.
No fewer than six students have reportedly drowned after a boat conveying them and other passengers while returning to school capsized at the Buruku crossing point in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred on Sunday night while passengers were being ferried across the River Benue from the Logo Local Government Area axis to Buruku.
The victims were said to be mainly travellers from the Sankara area who had waited for hours at the crossing point.
A maritime worker at the jetty, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the passengers had been delayed for most of the day because priority was given to politicians returning from a church event in Logo, according to Daily Trust.
The maritime worker said that the travellers were asked to wait until the “heavyweight” guests were transported to the Buruku side before others could board.
“Night caught up with them in the process, and they were many. Midway into the journey, the boat capsized. Most of the passengers were rescued, except for the six students who died,” he was quoted as saying.
“Five bodies have been recovered, while one remains missing, and search parties are currently combing the river for the victim,” he explained.
Another witness attributed the disaster to overloading, alleging that the wooden boat was carrying both passengers and vehicles.
“There were over 45 people on that boat, including vehicles. It was simply overloaded,” he said.
A relative of the victims, Pastor Jethro Moor, confirmed that the deceased were students returning to school in Gboko.
He disclosed that they were all indigenes of Gbeji in Ukum Local Government Area and had packed food items in two vehicles which were also placed on the boat.
“The accident happened because of excessive load. Two vehicles loaded with food items and over 20 passengers were onboard when it occurred.
“A bridge construction is ongoing on the river, so the route for the boats has become narrow. The weight could not float properly on the water, which led to the accident,” Moor narrated.
Chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Raymond Aondoakura, said the police had taken charge of the matter and that rescue teams were still searching the river.
When asked to confirm the number of casualties, he declined, saying the figures would be released after police investigations.
“Once the police conclude their investigation, you can call me,” the chairman was quoted as saying.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dennis Iyaghigba, expressed “grave concern and deep distress,” describing the incident as a painful reminder of the risks associated with unsafe inland water transportation.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Lubem Gena, the commissioner sympathised with the bereaved families and the Buruku community.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the mishap occurred in the course of routine river transportation,” Iyaghigba said, adding that a full-scale investigation had been launched to determine both the immediate and remote causes of the accident.