****Three Feared Dead, Dozens Missing as Calls Grow for Government Action
By Ben Adaji, Jalingo
Grief and outrage have gripped communities in Taraba State and surrounding regions following a tragic boat mishap near the abandoned Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area. The accident, which occurred on Friday evening after a torrential downpour lasting over three hours, has claimed several lives, with three persons still missing at the time of reporting.
Eyewitnesses said the overcrowded boat, carrying passengers and goods, was attempting to cross the Namnai River when it capsized, throwing all occupants into the surging waters. Local authorities and volunteers have since launched an intense search and rescue operation, combing the riverbanks for survivors and victims.
The Namnai Bridge—once a critical artery connecting Taraba to Benue and the broader North Central, North East, and North West regions—collapsed in 2023 and has since been abandoned by both federal and state authorities. In the absence of reconstruction, desperate residents have resorted to using makeshift boats, often at great personal risk.
This latest tragedy has renewed public anger and grief, with many describing the collapsed bridge as a “death trap” and a grave symbol of government neglect.
Among the critics is Professor John Ajai, a university lecturer who narrowly escaped a similar disaster just last week. Recounting his experience, he said:
“The boat’s propeller got stuck in the sand. We couldn’t berth. Passengers had to be evacuated under tense and unsafe conditions. The buses on board remained stranded for more than thirty minutes. It was divine mercy that prevented tragedy that day.”
Professor Ajai lambasted the Federal Government’s failure to act decisively, accusing the Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) of silence and inaction. He also criticised federal lawmakers from the state for failing to speak up or push for urgent intervention.
“You may not be directly responsible for executing federal works,” Ajai said, “but your voices matter. Your silence also speaks volumes.”
He challenged authorities to imagine the response if the collapsed bridge were located in Abuja or Lagos, urging them to treat the Namnai crisis with the same level of urgency.
As search efforts continue, the tragedy has once again spotlighted the human cost of failing infrastructure across Nigeria. Residents are calling for immediate reconstruction of the Namnai Bridge and the provision of safe alternatives for crossing the river.
Without swift and decisive action, many fear this may not be the last tragedy.
