A boat accident on the River Benue has claimed the lives of at least 11 people, including a pregnant woman and six children, following a severe storm in the Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

The victims were part of a group of over 40 mourners returning to the Daududawadawa island community after attending a funeral in the Wadata suburb of Makurdi.

Incident Details and Rescue Operations

The accident occurred between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Saturday during a period of torrential rain and severe winds. The vessel overturned midway through its journey across the river, near the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) Barracks.

Local officials from the area's vigilante group confirmed that the passengers had traveled earlier that day to bury a fellow community member who had passed away at a local hospital.

Emergency response efforts are currently underway:

• Recoveries: Local divers and volunteers have recovered and buried four bodies.

• Ongoing Search: Search and rescue operations continue for the remaining missing passengers.

• Survivors: Multiple individuals survived the capsize, though emergency workers report significant casualties, including an infant who was separated from its mother during the incident.

Official Responses

Local authorities and emergency services are still compiling the final figures and details of the accident. The Benue State Police Command indicated that official reports are still being processed, while representatives from the Makurdi Local Government Council have not yet released a formal statement.

The Daududawadawa community remains in a state of mourning as families gather along the riverbank awaiting further updates from the rescue teams.