A devastating boat accident on River Benue in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State has left 20 people dead and 11 others rescued.
The mishap occurred on Saturday night when an overloaded wooden canoe, ferrying traders to Odenyi in Nasarawa State, collided with a tree and capsized midway through the journey.
The traders were returning home after a market day at Ocholonya when the tragedy struck around 8 pm.
Despite warnings about the canoe’s capacity, the passengers reportedly refused to disembark, anxious to reach their destination.
Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, stating that search and rescue efforts are ongoing. “We have recovered 20 bodies, and 11 people have been rescued alive,” she said.
Eyewitnesses attributed the accident to overloading and poor visibility at night. Local authorities are urging stricter enforcement of safety regulations on waterways to prevent similar incidents.
The community continues to mourn as families await news of missing loved ones.
