Six missing as boat carrying Benue mourners capsizes

A boat carrying mourners capsized on the Buruku River in Benue State. According to the Daily Post Nigeria, the boat was carrying over 70 mourners and more than 30 motorcycles, and had set off after a burial ceremony. The incident occurred around 11am on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

The Punch Nigeria reported that at least six people are missing, while the Daily Trust put the number of missing at seven. Several occupants were rescued from the water, with the Daily Trust saying over 120 passengers were rescued.

The cause of the incident is attributed to engine failure, with the Daily Post Nigeria and Daily Trust reporting that the boat was severely overloaded. The Chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Raymond Zege or Aondoakura depending on the source, confirmed the incident and said search and rescue personnel continued efforts to locate those who remained unaccounted for.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Daily Post Nigeria, Daily Trust — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.