Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced a full-scale investigation into a boat accident on the River Benue that claimed the lives of 11 passengers, with the agency’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., leading a team of investigators and senior officials to Wadata community for an on‑the‑spot safety assessment.
The NSIB delegation arrived in Makurdi on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, and was received by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ode, on behalf of Governor Hyacinth Alia, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the bureau, Funke Adebayo‑Arowojobe. The team later proceeded to a meeting with the governor, who commended the bureau’s swift response to the incident and called for a stronger and more permanent NSIB presence in the state to support safety advocacy and risk‑reduction efforts along the River Benue.
The boat accident occurred on the evening of Saturday, June 13, 2026, when a wooden boat carrying passengers returning from a burial ceremony capsized mid‑stream near the Wadata crossing point in Makurdi Local Government Area. According to the Benue State Police Command, the vessel was conveying 43 passengers from Wadata to Daududawadawa, an island community located behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering barracks in the North Bank area of Makurdi. The boat overturned between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. during a rainstorm accompanied by strong winds.
Police spokesperson Udeme Edet told TheCable that the passengers had attended the burial of a woman from their community in Wadata before embarking on the return journey. “They were returning from a burial on a local boat and all 43 of them overturned into the river. The rescue team was able to rescue about 34 persons,” she said. The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) later confirmed that a family of six was among the victims, and that nine bodies had been recovered and buried, while one passenger was still missing as search and rescue operations continued.
During the safety assessment visit, the NSIB team activated family assistance protocols for victims and their relatives while also engaging key stakeholders in the state’s water transport sector. The delegation visited Wadata on the banks of the River Benue, where investigators held discussions with community leaders, residents, boat operators and representatives of the Boat Operators Association. The interactions, the NSIB said, provided investigators with first‑hand accounts of the incident and insights into local water transport operations, prevailing safety practices and challenges faced by operators and passengers.
Governor Alia stressed the need for improved public awareness, stricter operational safety standards and enhanced stakeholder engagement to reduce accidents on the state’s waterways. In his response, Captain Badeh reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to collaborating with state governments and other stakeholders to improve transportation safety across the country. “The NSIB welcomes every opportunity to collaborate with state governments, local communities, operators, and regulators in advancing transport safety. We remain committed to exploring practical avenues for institutionalising safer navigation on the River Benue and across Nigeria’s inland waterways,” he said.
Badeh also expressed condolences to the government and people of Benue State, particularly the families of the victims. “Our thoughts are with the families and communities affected by this unfortunate accident. Every loss of life is one too many, and while each occurrence presents its own circumstances, many accidents can be prevented through greater safety awareness, responsible operational practices, and stronger collaboration among regulators, operators, and waterway users,” he said.
The NSIB boss explained that the visit was not only aimed at gathering facts about the accident, but also at strengthening engagement with communities that depend heavily on water transportation for their livelihoods. “We are here to listen, learn, and engage directly with those who operate and use these waterways. Safety is a shared responsibility, and sustained public education remains one of the most effective tools for reducing risks and preventing accidents on our waterways,” he added.
The bureau said findings from the visit would support its investigation and guide future safety recommendations aimed at improving safety culture across Nigeria’s inland waterways. The NSIB added that it remains committed to preventing future accidents through independent investigations, safety advocacy and recommendations to protect lives across the country’s transport systems.
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