At least six persons have been found dead and eight others missing after a boat conveying 40 passengers from Guma to Buruku Local Government Area of Benue state capsized.
The chairman of Guma local government area, Mr. Mike Uba, who spoke to journalists on phone, in Makurdi, said the incident happened Tuesday afternoon, at Ikyave crossing point, while the occupants were heading to Buruku market.
As at the time of filling this report, the chairman said 14 persons were dead.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Wale Abass, confirmed the incident saying 26 persons have been rescued so far and taken to the hospital for treatment while only six corpses have been recovered.
He said a combined team of personnel and fishermen have commenced a search for eight others.
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherin Anene, said “On 20/9/2022 at 1300hrs a boat conveying forty person’s from Guma LGA to Buruku LGA for business capsized in the river around Fada village, Guma LGA.
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“Combine efforts of the police and fishermen in the area led to the rescue of twenty six (26) persons who were taken to hospital for treatment, six (6) corpses have been recovered while a search for the remaining eight (8) person’s is on going.”
The commissioner commiserated with families and friends of the dead and advised travellers who choose water transport to employ maximum safety measures while traveling on water especially now that the volume of water is very high.
