Pregnant woman, six children die in Benue boat tragedy
Fatal Boat Accident Claims 11 Lives in Benue State
MAKURDI, Benue State — At least 11 people, including a pregnant woman and six children, have died following a boat accident in the Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday evening. The incident occurred between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. as the victims attempted to cross a river from Wadata to the Daududawada community during a severe rainstorm.
Nura Umar, Commander of the local vigilante group Operation Shara (Sweep) in North Bank, confirmed the fatalities, which included a total of four adults and six children in addition to the pregnant woman.
The victims were mourners from Daududawada, an island community located near the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Barracks. They had traveled to Wadata to attend the burial of a woman who had passed away after seeking treatment at a North Bank private hospital.
Umar recounted that the deceased was transported to the hospital on Saturday morning, where she later died. Following the burial, the group chose to return to their community by boat, citing it as a quicker route compared to traveling by road.
Tragically, the boat capsized around 7 p.m. as heavy rain and strong winds struck the area. “There were over 40 passengers on board,” Umar stated, “and we have confirmed that 11 are feared dead. So far, four bodies have been recovered and buried, while divers are continuing the search for the remaining seven.”
Additionally, Umar reported that one of the survivors experienced a miscarriage as a result of the incident.
