Tag: Benue Boat Mishap

The Benue State Government has taken decisive enforcement action following a disastrous boat mishap at the Buruku river crossing point, suspending local union operations and ordering immediate arrests. The directive targeted the Buruku crossing point branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers following an accident that left several passengers missing. In an official public statement, Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy Denis Ter Iyaghigba ordered the immediate suspension of union activities after conducting a comprehensive on the spot assessment visit. The state government took swift administrative control of the crossing area to enforce safety standard compliance and prevent further loss of life. The enforcement order extended to the immediate suspension of the transport line operator, alongside the formal arrest and detention of the boat skipper involved in the incident. Police authorities and maritime enforcement officers moved swiftly to secure the suspect for further criminal interrogation and investigation into operational negligence. An inter ministerial committee has been officially constituted to determine the immediate, remote, and structural causes of the fatal river accident. Concurrently, state officials are coordinating with local emergency divers to intensify ongoing search, rescue, and recovery operations across the affected waterway section. Reiterating the administration’s zero tolerance policy for safety violations, Commissioner Iyaghigba emphasized the mandatory enforcement of life jacket usage at every river transit point across Benue State. Additionally, a strict seven day ultimatum was issued to the owner of an abandoned barge linked to the tragedy to clear the vessel or face permanent state confiscation. By: Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed