The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has launched an investigation into a boat accident in Benue State that claimed the lives of 11 passengers.
The bureau said its investigators have begun work to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and identify any safety lapses that may have contributed to it.
In a statement on Thursday, the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, said the agency’s Director-General, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., led a team to Wadata, a community along the River Benue, for an initial assessment.
The visit enabled investigators to gather first-hand accounts from residents, boat operators and other stakeholders, while also evaluating safety conditions along the waterway.
The NSIB said the exercise forms part of wider efforts to strengthen safety standards on Nigeria’s inland waterways and prevent similar accidents.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, commended the bureau’s swift response and called for closer collaboration to improve water transport safety across the state.
He also urged the NSIB to maintain a sustained presence in Benue to support public awareness campaigns and risk-reduction initiatives along the River Benue.
Responding, Badeh reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to working with state authorities, local communities, operators and regulators to promote safer navigation.
“The NSIB welcomes every opportunity to collaborate with state governments, local communities, operators and regulators in advancing transport safety. We remain committed to exploring practical avenues for institutionalising safer navigation on the River Benue and across Nigeria’s inland waterways,” he said.
Badeh also extended condolences to the families of the victims, describing the accident as a stark reminder of the need for greater compliance with safety regulations.
The investigative team met community leaders, residents, boat operators and members of the Boat Operators Association in Wadata, gathering eyewitness accounts and insights into operational challenges.
The bureau said information obtained during the assessment would inform its final report and recommendations aimed at improving safety on inland waterways nationwide.