More than feared 30 dead after boat capsizes in Nigeria's Benue State

The passengers were mourners on their way back from a burial, with most reportedly from Mbayon in neighbouring Gboko Local Government Area. Early accounts put the number aboard at more than 70 passengers, together with over 30 motorcycles.

Buruku Local Government Chairman Raymond Zege told Vanguard that the boat was overloaded.

“In the middle of the journey, the engine of the boat failed, and they became panicky,” said Zege.

Iyaghigba said preliminary reports indicated that a powerful current drove the boat into an abandoned barge near a bend in the river.