NSIB Launches Probe Into Deadly Benue River Boat Accident

( Captain Alex Badeh Jr. Photo by Captain Alex Badeh Jr.)

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has begun an investigation into the boat @ccid£nt that claimed 11 lives in Benue State, with its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., heading a team of investigators on an on-the-spot safety assessment visit to Wadata along the River Benue.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, the visit, conducted on Wednesday, forms part of the bureau’s efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, obtain first-hand information from affected communities and stakeholders, and strengthen safety measures on Nigeria’s inland waterways.

The statement further noted that Governor Hyacinth Alia commended the bureau’s swift response and called for a stronger and more sustained presence in the state to support safety advocacy and risk-reduction initiatives along the River Benue.

In response, Badeh reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to working alongside state governments, local communities, operators and regulators to advance transportation safety across the country.

He said the NSIB welcomed every opportunity to collaborate with these stakeholders in improving transport safety, noting that the bureau remained committed to exploring practical ways to institutionalise safer navigation on the River Benue and across Nigeria’s inland waterways.

During a media briefing, Badeh expressed condolences to the Benue State Government and families of the victims, describing the @ccid£nt as a sobering reminder of the critical need for greater adherence to safety measures.

He said the loss of life was heartbreaking, and while each incident had its own specific circumstances, many accidents could be prevented through improved safety awareness, responsible operational practices and stronger cooperation among regulators, operators and waterway users.

He explained that the visit aimed not only at understanding the factors behind the @ccid£nt but also at engaging directly with communities that depend on water transportation for their daily needs.

The NSIB team subsequently visited Wadata, where they met with community leaders, residents, boat operators and representatives of the Boat Operators Association.

The investigators said these interactions provided valuable eyewitness accounts and insights into local transport operations, safety practices and operational difficulties.

The bureau said findings from the visit would inform its ongoing investigation and help develop future safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies.

Note: This report contains details of a tragedy involving loss of life that some readers may find distressing.