From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
The Benue State Government has directed the immediate enforcement of safety measures to stem the tide of persistent boat mishaps at River Benue section at Buruku.
The State government through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har on Friday, launched the new initiative maintaining that the initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Buruku Local Government, security agencies and the traditional Council.
He said that henceforth, the use of life jackets, strict adherence to weather safety protocols, and compliance with other internationally recognized standard practices for water transport are now compulsory and mandatory in the State.
It would be recalled that on January 11, 2026, six students returning to school lost their lives after the boat conveying them across River Buruku capsized at the Buruku crossing point in Buruku LGA of Benue State.
Chief Har stressed that the idea to impose this enforcement is to curb the alarming rate of boat mishaps on the river and restore public confidence in the ferry system pending the completion of the ongoing bridge project.
He said the meeting analysed the situation and resolved that the use of life jackets is now mandatory for all passengers and operators, warning that overloading of boats is strictly prohibited.
He said, “Consequently, no boat shall, under any circumstance, carry more than one vehicle at a time and boat operations must stop by 8:00 p.m. daily, two hours grace from the federal government’s 6:00pm.”
The Adviser ordered the immediate barricading of access roads on both banks of the river after 8:00 p.m. stateing that full enforcement of the life jacket mandate will commence on Fabuary 1, citing insufficient supply of the life jacket for now as reason.
He revealed that previously he, the Buruku local government, and other donors had donated life jackets which were vandalized by former union executives and therefore appealed to the local government chairman and well-meaning individuals to donate life jackets to support the safety of commuters.
He also, recommended a joint enforcement team comprising of the DSS, NPF, NIWA and the State’s security outfit, Civil Protection Guards, CPG to ensure strict compliance.
Responding, the Chairman of the Marine Union and the Tyoor Mbaapen acknowledged the necessity of enforcement, noting that while community-level safety measures had been attempted, enforcement remained a challenge.
They expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, and the Security Adviser for their efforts at curbing river transport accident saying they hope to see tangible improvement with security agencies now taking charge.
The Special Adviser further addressed marine workers, stakeholders, traditional rulers, and security agencies at the bank of the river in Bukuru, where he conveyed resolutions from the state’s high-level security meeting chaired by his colleague, the Special Adviser on Security and External Liaison, Col. Alex Igbaya Anshingu (Rtd.).
