At least six people are feared missing after a boat conveying more than 70 mourners capsized on the Buruku River in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday.
The incident occurred at about 11am as the mourners, who had attended a burial ceremony in the area, were returning to their destination in neighbouring Gboko Local Government Area.
The Chairman of Buruku LGA, Raymond Zege, who confirmed the incident, said the boat reportedly developed an engine fault while crossing the river and became difficult to control.
According to him, the situation worsened after the passengers struggled to keep the vessel afloat while another boat was approaching to rescue them.
He said the boat eventually sank after encountering waves.
Zege said more than 70 people were believed to have been aboard the vessel, with about six persons still unaccounted for as of Saturday.
He also raised concerns over compliance with water safety measures, saying life jackets had been provided for river users but some passengers often declined to wear them because of discomfort and other complaints.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, said preliminary reports received by his ministry indicated that a strong current pushed the boat into an abandoned barge, causing it to overturn.
He directed boat operators and their union downstream to join the search and rescue operation.
Iyaghigba appealed for calm among relatives of the passengers, assuring them that efforts were underway to establish the whereabouts of those aboard and rescue anyone still in danger.
