Mourners Capsized on River Benue, 11 Feared Dead

What began as a solemn journey home after bidding farewell to a beloved member of their community ended in unimaginable tragedy on Saturday night when a boat carrying mourners capsized on the River Benue, leaving at least 11 persons feared dead, including a pregnant woman and six children. For residents of Daududawadawa - a small island settlement tucked behind the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Barracks in North Bank, Makurdi - the grief of burying one of their own was barely over before another devastating chapter unfolded.

A Funeral That Became a Fight for Survival

The mourners had gathered earlier in the day in Wadata, Makurdi, to lay to rest a woman from their community who died shortly after being taken to a private hospital. As evening approached, more than 40 relatives, friends and sympathisers boarded a boat to return home across the River Benue. Between 7pm and 8pm, dark clouds gathered over the state capital. Heavy rain and fierce winds swept across the river, turning what should have been a routine crossing into a desperate fight for survival. Midway through the journey, the boat overturned.

Vigilante Commander Recounts the Sequence of Events

Confirming the incident, Commander of Operation Shara, a local vigilante group operating in the North Bank axis of Makurdi, Mr. Nura Umar, described the heartbreaking sequence of events, explaining how the return journey became fatal when the weather suddenly deteriorated.

After the burial, they boarded a boat to cross back to Daududawadawa community. At about 7pm, heavy rain and strong winds started and the boat capsized halfway into the journey. There were over 40 passengers aboard the boat, but 11 are feared dead. We have recovered four bodies so far and buried them, while divers are still searching for the remaining victims.

— Mr. Nura Umar, Commander, Operation Shara

A Mother Survived - Her Baby Did Not

Among those feared lost are a pregnant woman whose unborn child never got the chance to see the world and six children whose young lives were cut tragically short. Perhaps the most painful story emerging from the disaster is that of a mother who survived the accident only to lose the baby she had strapped to her back.

One of the women survived, but the baby she had strapped to her back was swept away when the boat capsized.

— Mr. Nura Umar

Community Waits by the Riverbank, Hope and Despair Side by Side

On Sunday, an atmosphere of sorrow hung heavily over Daududawadawa community as anxious relatives gathered along the riverbank, scanning the waters and waiting for word from search teams. Local divers and community volunteers continued search-and-rescue operations, navigating difficult conditions in an effort to locate those still missing. Some clung to the possibility that loved ones may yet be found alive. Others feared the river may soon return more bodies.

Authorities Yet to Respond, Safety Concerns Renewed

Attempts to obtain comments from the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Council, Mr. Joseph Keffi, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages were not responded to at press time. The Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she had yet to receive details of the incident. The disaster has renewed concerns about the safety of water transportation in riverine communities where residents rely heavily on boats as their primary means of movement, often in challenging weather conditions.

As the search continues, the people of Daududawadawa are confronting a painful reality: a journey undertaken to honour the dead has left more families mourning, turning a day of farewell into one of the darkest moments in the community's history. For now, the river holds its silence, while an entire community waits, prays and grieves.