Taraba Gov Mourns 100 Boat Accident Victims, Orders Probe

Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, on Monday, condoled with the families of the 100 passengers who were feared dead in Saturday’s boat accident in River Benue.

The governor, in a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communication,  Emmanuel Bello, called for a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the boat accident.

“This is a sad moment for Taraba State. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident. I am grieved by this development and have since ordered a thorough investigation into the incident,” the governor said.

The acting Chairman of the Inland Water Transporters in Taraba State, Mr Jidda Mayoreneyo, had on Sunday said the boat carrying nearly 100 passengers capsized en route to Karim Lamido from Mayo-Reneyo.The police said on Sunday that the corpses of three children were recovered and that a search-and-rescue operation was ongoing.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Taraba State,  Usman Abdullahi, said the victims were heading back to Karim Lamido Local Government from Mayo-Renowo fish market on Saturday when the boat capsized in River Benue.

“No one in the boat survived the incident according to a preliminary report. So far, three bodies have been recovered from the incident,” Abdullahi said.

The Caretaker Chairman of Ardo-Kola LGA, Alhaji Dalhatu Kawu, said the boat left Mayoreneyo local jetty on Saturday with many passengers travelling to Binnari town in the Karim Lamido LGA but capsized mid-way in River Benue.

It was gathered that neither the passengers nor the operator of the ill-fated boat wore lifejackets.

NAN