NO fewer than 50 were feared killed in a boat mishap in River Buruku, a tributary of river Benue in Buruku Local Government area of Benue State on Thursday.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Daniel Ezeala who confirmed the incident, said a team of policemen has been dispatched to the area on a search and rescue mission.
As at the time of filling in this report, several people were still said to be missing in the river where the incident has become common.
Villagers told The Guardian that the tragedies such as Thursday’s have become a common phenomenon in the area as early this year alone, scores of people were killed in the same manner owing to engine failure.
Life jackets are alien to both the operators and passengers even as government has not taken steps to enforce its necessity so as to avoid incessant deaths.
The killer river is the only avenue to crossing over to Logo Local Government area, which is home to governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam as there is no bridge linking the two communities.
Distraught, members of the community protested to register their annoyance over government neglect of the area. It was also learnt that a contract had been awarded by the federal government in the past for the construction of a bridge in the area but it did not see the light of the day due to corruption.
In the past, the state transport company, Benue Links offered more effective ferry services with good engine boats but later on failed to continue.
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