The Benue State Government has suspended the Buruku crossing point branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) following a boat mishap that left several passengers missing on Saturday. The government also ordered the suspension of the line operator and directed the arrest and detention of the boat skipper pending investigation.
The Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Denis Iyaghigba, announced the measures after visiting the scene to assess the incident and ongoing rescue efforts. In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Public Orientation in the commissioner’s office, Lubem Gena, the government said the measures were aimed at enforcing safety regulations and preventing a recurrence.
The ministry has activated search and rescue operations and is working with local divers to locate passengers still unaccounted for after some of those aboard the boat were rescued. Iyaghigba also disclosed that an inter-ministerial committee had been constituted to investigate the accident and determine its immediate, remote and underlying causes.
The committee is expected to make recommendations on strengthening safety standards at river crossing points across the state. The commissioner ordered strict compliance with the mandatory use of life jackets at all river crossing points in Benue, stressing the need to protect passengers using the state’s waterways.
He also raised concerns over an abandoned barge at the crossing point, which he said may have contributed to the accident. He gave its owner seven days to remove it, warning that failure to comply could lead to its confiscation by the state government. The accident occurred on Saturday morning when a wooden boat carrying passengers capsized while crossing the River Katsina-Ala at the Buruku crossing point.
Several passengers were rescued, while others remained missing, prompting the immediate activation of search and rescue operations. The state government said further updates would be provided as rescue efforts and investigations continue.