Taraba State Governor Mourns 100 Victims After Boat Capsizes

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, on Monday shared his condolences with families of the 100 passengers who are feared to be dead after a boat capsize in River Benue.

The governor said that this is a "sad moment" for the state, and he wants to extend his "heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident," Punch reported.

According to authorities, no one in the boat, including the operator, wore a life jacket.

"I am grieved by this development and have since ordered a thorough investigation into the incident," Kefas said. He encouraged everyone to use life jackets.

"Our body of water, which is one of the longest in the region, should be a veritable source of wealth and not death," he said.

Jidda Mayoreneyo, who serves as the acting Chairman of the Inland Water Transporters in Taraba State, announced Sunday that a boat carrying nearly 100 people had capsized. The boat was going to Karim Lamido from Mayo-Reneyo.

The police reported that they were able to recover three dead bodies of children while the search and rescue operation was still going on.

Usman Abdullahi, the Police Public Relations Officer in Taraba State, revealed that these victims were coming back from the fish market when the incident took place, adding that no one in the boat survived, as per the preliminary report.

Such incidents are very common in Nigeria as within the last three years, more than 900 people reportedly died in boat accidents.

Last year, a boat carrying 85 passengers capsized, leading to the death of 76 people in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. In May, 15 children drowned, and 25 people went missing after a boat capsized in a river in Sokoto State.

Another incident took place in the Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State last month and grabbed the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who expressed "heartfelt condolences" to the families of the victims.

Earlier this month, at least 22 people drowned after a boat capsized in the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said the victims were traveling to Yauri in Kebbi State from Kasabu village when the boat accident took place due to heavy rainfall and wind.