Six students have died following a boat accident on the Buruku River in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State. The incident occurred on Monday night when a boat conveying more than 45 passengers, along with vehicles, capsized mid-journey.
Rescue teams recovered five bodies shortly after the accident, while search efforts continued for one student who was initially reported missing.
The Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dennis Iyaghigba, confirmed that an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the incident.
He said preliminary findings point to possible violations of safety regulations and operational lapses.
The victims, who were students from Gbeji community in Ukum Local Government Area, were reportedly travelling back to school in Gboko when the boat overturned. Eyewitnesses attributed the accident to overloading and restricted navigable routes caused by ongoing bridge construction in the area.
The tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal boat accidents in Benue State. In October 2025, five siblings drowned in Obagaji community, while a separate incident in Agatu in December 2024 claimed the lives of about 20 people, most of them women and children.
Maritime safety experts have repeatedly warned that overloading, weak safety regulations, poor enforcement, and inadequate infrastructure continue to fuel inland waterway accidents in the state. They note that many boats operate without proper licensing, while operators often lack basic training in navigation and emergency response. The absence of safety equipment such as life jackets and navigational aids further heightens the risks.
Experts have called for compulsory registration and licensing of watercraft, stricter penalties for safety violations, and the establishment of an independent Marine Accident Investigation Board to curb the recurring loss of lives on the state’s waterways.
