Nigeria – NSIB Launches Full Investigation Into Benue Boat Tragedy as State Seeks Stronger Water Transport Safety Partnership

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has commenced a full-scale investigation into the tragic boat mishap at Wadata Crossing Point in Makurdi that claimed the lives of eleven persons, as the Benue State Government called for stronger institutional collaboration to improve safety on the state’s waterways.

The NSIB delegation, led by Director-General Alex Badeh Jr., arrived in Makurdi on Wednesday for an on-the-spot assessment of the accident site along the River Benue as part of efforts aimed at uncovering the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident and preventing future occurrences.

Welcoming the team on behalf of the Benue State Government, the Honourable Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Denis Ter Iyaghigba, expressed appreciation to the federal agency for what he described as a swift and reassuring intervention following the unfortunate tragedy.

Speaking during the reception, the Commissioner conveyed the condolences of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia to families of the victims, affected communities and residents of the state, describing the incident as heartbreaking and deeply painful.

He called for a minute of silence in honour of the eleven victims who lost their lives in the accident, praying for eternal rest for the deceased and strength for their grieving families.

Iyaghigba noted that the visit by the NSIB management team demonstrated the seriousness with which the Federal Government handles safety investigations, accident prevention and transportation risk management across the country.

He further stated that the creation of the Benue State Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by Governor Alia reflected visionary leadership aimed at harnessing emerging economic opportunities beyond agriculture.

According to the Commissioner, while Benue has historically been known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” the present administration has moved to explore the untapped economic potential of the state’s inland waterways, particularly the River Benue, which he described as one of West Africa’s most significant water channels.

He however lamented that the recent Wadata boat tragedy exposed critical gaps in water transportation safety systems, operator training, emergency preparedness, public awareness and enforcement mechanisms.

As part of measures to strengthen safety architecture on the waterways, the Commissioner formally requested deeper collaboration between the NSIB and the Benue State Government in key areas including comprehensive safety audits of water transport routes, technical training for boat operators, development of accident prevention frameworks and establishment of safety monitoring systems.

He also appealed for joint public awareness campaigns on life jacket usage, passenger limits, weather-related risks and safe operational practices, while advocating for technical collaboration in policy formulation and research implementation.

In a major request, the Commissioner called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent operational base of the NSIB in Benue State to facilitate rapid response, accident investigation support and continuous safety oversight along the River Benue corridor.

Earlier, the NSIB team was received by Deputy Governor Samuel Ode on behalf of Governor Alia before proceeding to a meeting with the Governor.

Governor Alia commended the Bureau for its prompt response and reiterated the need for improved public awareness, stricter operational safety standards and sustained stakeholder engagement to reduce accidents on the state’s waterways.

Responding, NSIB Director-General Alex Badeh Jr. reaffirmed the Bureau’s commitment to partnering with state governments, communities and transport operators to institutionalise safer navigation practices on inland waterways across Nigeria.

He expressed condolences to the government and families affected by the accident, describing the tragedy as a painful reminder that stronger safety consciousness, responsible operational practices and effective collaboration remain critical to preventing avoidable loss of lives.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the NSIB team later visited Wadata riverbank where investigators engaged community leaders, residents and members of the Boat Operators Association, gathering first-hand accounts of the incident and assessing prevailing operational safety challenges within the local water transport sector.

Source : Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, Benue State