21 feared dead as boat sinks in Benue
The boat was
conveying mainly members of the ECAN Church Ijaha in Makurdi Local Government
Area to a meeting across the river when it sank at Kwaghtan Sule in Guma LGA on
Sunday, July 5.
According to
reports, the canoe was filled beyond its capacity. The canoe which had a
capacity to carry not more than 15 passengers was overloaded.
The boat sank
midstream and 2 people were rescued alive. Local fishermen and policemen are
still searching for other passengers.
A statement by the
State Police Command signed by the Public Relations Officer, Deputy
Superintendent, DSP, Catherine Anene indicated that 21 people were missing in
the mishap that occurred at about 2:30pm.
The statement read
in part: "We received information at about 2:30pm Sunday that 23 members
of ECAN Church Ijaha, Makurdi Local Government boarded a Boat to attend a
conference across River Benue, at the midstream, the boat sank. Marine Police
search party were deployed to the scene where two persons were rescued alive while 21 persons are still missing."
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