Tragedy as atleast 21 people reportedly feared dead after a canoe capsized in River Benue.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the boat was transporting members of the ECAN Church Ijaha in Makurdi Local Government Area to a meeting across the river when it sank at Kwaghtan Sule in Guma LGA on Sunday, July 5.
The canoe was reportedly filled beyond its capacity as the 15-passengers capacity boat carried more than 21 people.
According to report, the boat sank midstream and 2 people were rescued alive. Local fishermen and policemen are still searching for other passengers.
In a statement signed and released by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Deputy Superintendent, DSP Catherine Anene, it was indicated that 21 people were missing in the mishap that occurred at about 2:30pm.
The statement read in part:
“We received information at about 2:30pm Sunday that 23 members of ECAN Church Ijaha, Makurdi Local Government boarded a Boat to attend a conference across River Benue, at the midstream, the boat sank. Marine Police search party were deployed to the scene where two persons were rescued alive while 21 persons are still missing.”