Benue: SEMA demands compulsory life jackets after boat mishap
The Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Benue-SEMA, has called for the compulsory wearing of life jackets by passengers and operators on the state’s waterways following a boat accident that claimed three lives and left eight people missing. The agency made the demand after conducting an assessment of Saturday’s boat mishap at the River Katsina-Ala crossing […] Benue: SEMA demands compulsory…
On Saturday, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (Benue-SEMA) conducted an assessment of a boat accident that occurred at the River Katsina-Ala crossing point in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State. The accident involved an overturned boat carrying 107 passengers and 38 Bajaj motorcycles, which was transporting people back from a funeral.
The boat mishap resulted in the death of three individuals and left eight others missing. Initially, 11 passengers were declared missing; however, three of them were later confirmed as deceased. The search continues for the remaining eight missing passengers. The ill-fated boat had 10 motorcycles recovered, leaving 28 motorcycles yet to be found.
Benue-SEMA's Executive Secretary, James Iorpuu, along with the agency's Head of Administration, Samuel Atii, led officials to the affected community to assess the situation and engage with local stakeholders. Iorpuu called for the compulsory wearing of life jackets by all passengers and operators on the state’s waterways, emphasizing the need for stringent enforcement of such a law.
Rescue teams are actively searching for the eight missing passengers, while efforts to retrieve the remaining 28 motorcycles from the river are ongoing.
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