More than 60 passengers have been rescued while others are still missing following a boat capsize at the Buruku crossing point in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
It was gathered that the passengers had gone for a burial ceremony and while returning, the wooden boat in which they were traveling capsized.
Chairman of the local government area, Mr Raymond Zege, told journalists on Saturday in Makurdi, the state capital, that the incident occurred when the boat carrying the passengers developed an engine fault on the river around midnight on Saturday.
He said the operator struggled to control the boat after the engine failed, while attempts were made to rescue the passengers with the help of other boat operators..
According to him, the rescue operation was complicated by strong water waves and the weight of passengers being moved to safety.
Zege said the exact number of passengers who might still be missing had yet to be established, as rescuers were still working to get other passengers while other boat operators had been mobilised to assist in the operation.
He also called for strict compliance with maritime safety regulations, particularly the use of life jackets by all passengers using the crossing.
Also, the Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy in the state, Mr Denis Iyaghigba, while speaking on the incident, said the state government had commenced efforts to rescue remaining passengers involved in the incident.
Iyaghigba, in a statement on Saturday, said preliminary reports indicated that a strong water current swept the passenger boat into an abandoned barge at a corner of the river.
He said the impact caused the boat to tumble, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.
The commissioner urged members of the public, particularly families of possible passengers, to remain calm and await verified information from the authorities.
He assured the public that no effort would be spared to ensure the safety of those involved in the incident.
