It was a tragic weekend for hundreds of families in Taraba state as a boat carrying over 100 passengers capsized mid water at Benue river on Saturday.
The boat is said to have capsized in the Binneri community of Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State midway through the Benue River on Saturday evening.
A source in the area Mister Jessy Danladi told Channels Television that a few minutes after the incident, three bodies were recovered and thereafter twelve others were recovered by fishermen in the area.
He disclosed that the ill-fated boat was returning from a fish market in the Mayoreneyo community of the Ardo-Kola Local Government Area before the incident took place 50 minutes after take off.
Being used to the waters, no passenger was with a lifejacket, the source added.
The police spokesperson of the state Abdullahi Usman confirmed the incident but said the authentic figure is awaited from the divisional police officer of the area.
Boat accidents occur regularly in Nigeria because of overloading, speeding, poor maintenance, and disregarding navigation rules.
Some weeks back, a boat carrying more than 40 passengers from Niger to Kebbi State also capsized.
Last month, 26 persons died in a boat mishap in Niger State, North-Central Nigeria. Fifteen others died in a similar accident in Adamawa State recently.
Reports by Channels TV and Daily Trust)
