No fewer than 20 people, mostly women and children, have been reported dead in a boat capsize that occurred on the River Benue on Saturday.

The incident occurred when a wooden boat capsized near Ocholonya in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The victims were traders returning to Odenyi in Nasarawa Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, after attending the Ocholonya market.

The PUNCH quoted a local resident, who identified himself as Adanyi, as saying, “Yesterday (Saturday) was market day at Ocholonya, located within Agatu LGA.

“The passengers, mostly women and children, were heading back to Odenyi in Nasarawa State when the boat they were in capsized, resulting in all of them perishing.”

Also confirming the incident on Sunday, Agatu LGA Chairman, Melvin James, said, “It’s true there was a boat mishap yesterday. The victims had come to the Ocholonya market, which is in Agatu LGA.

“When they were returning to their homes in Apochi and Odenyi communities in Doma, Nasarawa State, the boat capsized.”

James added, “I’m working on contacting my counterpart in Nasarawa State to see how we can visit the affected families and offer our condolences.

“There have been conflicting reports about the number of casualties—some say 20 died—but no bodies have been officially recovered, to my knowledge.”

The council chairman also said that local divers have reportedly recovered some bodies, though he emphasized that as the chairman, he must provide accurate information.

He noted that attempts to reach the divers to confirm the total number of bodies found had been unsuccessful.

One source reportedly said that 20 bodies had been recovered, with others still unaccounted for.

James further mentioned that he had reached out to the Nigerian Navy commander in the LGA for assistance in the ongoing rescue efforts.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, could not be reached for reaction and update on the incident as her phone number was not reachable at the time of filing this report.
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