by Admin
Dec 18, 2024
Tragedy struck in Nigeria after a boat carrying over 100 people sank in the River Benue along Ocholonya in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to local reports, the boat was carrying passengers from Ocholonya village, Benue State, to Doma, Nasarawa State, after the passengers attended a market day in Ocholonya.
Prodesq News further gathered that the wooden boat was filled with goods and people when it capsized half into the journey killing everyone on board with local divers still searching for more bodies after they had recovered 20 dead bodies.
Confirming the incident is Melvin James the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, who disclosed that more bodies are yet to be recovered by the local divers and the authorities, he said: “Reports indicate that over 20 people might have died. Local divers claim to have recovered bodies, but I am waiting for an authoritative update to confirm the exact number”.
He further added that the Nigerian Navy has been contacted by the state authority to help aid in the search for the missing bodies.
Adanyi James, a community leader in Ocholonya disclosed that most of the passengers on the capsized boat were women and children he said, “Yesterday was Ocholonya market day. The boat was carrying women and children back to Odenyi-Doma in Nasarawa State when it capsized, and everyone drowned.”
Prodesq News further gathered that the victims were indigenes of the Apochi and Odenyi communities in Nasarawa State.
While rescue missions are still ongoing the Benue and Nasarawa state governments have issued joint operations to help recover the missing bodies. In contrast, the Nasarawa state government has declared a three-day mourning for the victims.