Tragedy as Benue boat mishap claims 20 lives, 11 rescued

A boat mishap on River Benue has claimed 20 lives in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State with11 passengers rescued.

Persecondnews reports that tragedy struck on Saturday night when a wooden canoe carrying traders across the river to Odenyi in Nasarawa State capsized after colliding with a tree.

The incident occurred at 8.00 p.m. as the victims, who had finished trading at the Ocholonya market in Agatu LGA, were returning home.

According to sources, the canoe was severely overloaded, and despite warnings from concerned individuals, the passengers refused to disembark, eager to get home.

This reckless disregard for safety ultimately led to the devastating accident.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the command, SP Catherine Anene said 20 bodies have so far been recovered from the river.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with 11 survivors rescued alive, she said.