- The Agatu boat accident claimed five children, leaving only the father and one child alive.
- The family was returning from their cassava farm when the overloaded canoe capsized midstream.
- The tragedy has renewed concerns over repeated boat mishaps in Benue State.
- Residents are calling for government action to prevent another Benue boat accident.
A tragic incidence happened in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday evening when a father lost five of his six children in a fatal canoe accident.
Reports revealed that the family was returning from their cassava farm in Obagaji community when the canoe capsized midstream. Out of the seven people on board, the father and his six children, only the man and one child survived.
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Eyewitnesses said local divers and volunteers rushed to the scene in an attempt to rescue the victims, but their efforts came too late. The incident has thrown the entire community into mourning, with residents describing the atmosphere as one of pain and sorrow.
A resident, identified as Ameh, explained that the tragedy left many people in shock, adding that the community is struggling to recover from the loss.
Confirming the heartbreaking development, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin James, said the canoe was overloaded and that factor may have contributed to the accident. He described the loss as “devastating and unfortunate” while urging residents to take water safety more seriously.
He also disclosed that the children’s mother, who did not follow them on the farm trip, collapsed in shock after hearing the news of the tragedy.
Boat mishaps have become a recurring nightmare in riverine areas of Benue, especially in Agatu, Logo, and Buruku. In 2024 alone, 14 mourners died in a similar incident in Logo, while 20 traders, mostly women and children, drowned in another accident in Agatu.
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Despite these repeated losses, residents lament that most local ferries still operate without life jackets or proper safety oversight. Community leaders are now urging the government to provide safer boats and enforce stricter safety rules to prevent future disasters.
