Six missing as boat carrying Benue mourners capsizes

A boat carrying around 70 mourners capsized on the Buruku River in Benue State. The incident occurred after the boat's engine reportedly failed. According to the Daily Post Nigeria, the boat was carrying over 30 motorcycles and was severely overloaded.

Several people were rescued from the water, but at least six are missing, according to Punch. The Daily Trust reports a higher number, stating that at least seven people are missing. The passengers were returning from a burial ceremony.

The boat capsized while crossing the River Katsina-Ala in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State, around 11am on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Search and rescue personnel continued efforts to locate those who remained unaccounted for as of Saturday afternoon, with the chairman of Buruku Local Government Area, Raymond Zege or Raymond Aondoakura, confirming the mishap.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch, Punch Nigeria, Daily Post Nigeria, Daily Trust — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.