Benue boat mishap: NIWA blames operator over safety violations as 9 confirmed dead

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has blamed the tragic boat mishap on River Benue over the weekend on a blatant violation of safety regulations, specifically pointing to the strict ban on night sailing.
The Area Manager of NIWA in Makurdi, Andrew Mdama Ndahi, made this known following a fact-finding mission to Daududawadawa—an island settlement behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME)—where the tragedy occurred.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the ill-fated wooden boat departed at approximately 7:00 PM, directly violating the agency’s approved sailing window of 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Furthermore, Ndahi revealed that the boat’s engine was faulty, and the operator actively ignored severe weather warnings by choosing to sail during heavy rainfall and strong winds.
“They violated the law,” Ndahi stated. “They started sailing around 7:00 PM and the engine was faulty. Everybody knows there was a storm and strong wind during that period.
“Our law says 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM… Again, the law says disengage when there is a storm or heavy wind,” he stated.
The boat was conveying an estimated 22 passengers when it capsized. Nine bodies have been recovered and buried, while 11 passengers were rescued alive. One passenger remains missing as search and rescue operations continue.
The tragedy has left local families devastated, with one household losing six members. Shockingly, the head of that grieving family serves as the chairman of the community’s maritime group.
Meanwhile, the boat operator has fled the scene and remains at large.
The NIWA Area Manager reiterated that the agency maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding overloading and the non-use of safety gear, emphasizing the “No Life Jacket, No Sailing” rule for both passengers and operators.
“We are doing our best to make these people adhere to our rules and regulations to avoid tragedies. If they follow our rules, accidents will be minimal,” Ndahi said.
To prevent future disasters, NIWA announced it will soon launch an aggressive sensitization campaign across riverine communities to enforce strict compliance with waterways safety guidelines.