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The management of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed the death of four passengers in the Saturday boat mishap on River Benue at the Buruku crossing point in Buruku Local Government Area of the state.
Recall that the incident occurred on 3 October 2026, when a wooden boat conveying about 138 passengers and 38 motorcycles reportedly developed engine faults while crossing River Benue at the Buruku crossing point.
The head of Information Unit, Benue SEMA, Mr Tema Ager, confirmed this in a telephone conversation on Monday in Makurdi.
Ager, who noted that rescue operations were still ongoing at the scene, said 125 passengers had so far been rescued, while more than nine others have remained missing.
He said authorities were still not sure of the number of people aboard the boat with information obtained from survivors, relatives and community leaders.
But he told newsmen that an estimated 138 people were believed to have been involved in the incident.
Ager said authorities had engaged survivors, relatives of victims and leaders of the affected community and association to obtain information that could assist the search and rescue operation.
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He said 38 motorcycles were also reportedly conveyed on the ill-fated boat, with three passengers said to have been associated with each motorcycle.
The official said divers had been deployed to search for missing persons and recover submerged motorcycles and other belongings from the river.
Ager said five motorcycles had so far been recovered, while 33 others remained at the affected location as the recovery operation continued.
He said the rescue teams were working methodically to locate the missing persons and establish the circumstances surrounding the mishap.
He said authorities would continue the investigation and search operation until the status of all persons believed to have been aboard the boat was established.
Ager also appealed to river users to observe water-safety measures, particularly the use of life jackets while travelling by boat, saying life jackets had been provided in the past, but some passengers often ignored the safety precaution and board boats without wearing them.
He urged passengers at the Buruku crossing point and other waterways to always wear life jackets and comply with safety instructions to prevent avoidable loss of lives.
