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Tragedy struck in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State late Monday night, January 19, 2026, when a wooden boat ferrying students and other passengers capsized in the Burukuku River, claiming at least six lives.
The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. while the overloaded vessel was midstream, transporting many students returning to school in Gboko alongside several vehicles and heavy goods. Eyewitness accounts indicate the boat was carrying more than 45 passengers in addition to the vehicles, a load far beyond its capacity.
According to survivors and witnesses, the boat began taking in water shortly after departure before eventually sinking. Rescue efforts recovered 35 survivors, but several others remain unaccounted for. Six persons, including students from Gbeji in Ukum Local Government Area, have been confirmed dead, with search and rescue operations continuing to locate missing individuals.
Witnesses unanimously attributed the disaster to severe overloading, stating that the combined weight of passengers, vehicles, and cargo overwhelmed the wooden boat. One eyewitness lamented that “this tragedy could have been avoided,” pointing to the recurring nature of such incidents due to weak enforcement of safety regulations and inadequate monitoring of inland waterways in the state.
Reacting to the incident, the Benue State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Dennis Iyahighigba, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and described the mishap as a painful reminder of the dangers associated with unregulated river transportation.
In a statement, the commissioner assured that the state government would take decisive action to prevent future occurrences. These measures will include intensified enforcement of safety standards on waterways, stricter penalties for overloading, routine inspection of boats and jetties, and sustained public sensitization campaigns on water transport safety.
Search operations remain ongoing, authorities said, while the government has pledged support to the affected families during this difficult period.
The Buruku River is a major crossing point connecting several communities in Burukuku, Logo, and parts of Ukum Local Government Areas, where the absence of bridges forces heavy reliance on wooden boats for daily travel and goods transportation. The latest tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved safety protocols, better regulation, and accelerated infrastructure development to reduce risks on the state’s inland waterways.
