In a tragic incident on Saturday, dozens of people, predominantly women and children, are feared dead after a boat capsized on the River Benue near Ocholonya in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The victims were reportedly traders returning to Doma in Nasarawa State after attending a market in Ocholonya village when the wooden boat carrying them overturned.

A resident of Ocholonya, identified as Adanyi, recounted the incident: “The boat was carrying women and children back to Odenyi in Nasarawa State after the market. Sadly, it capsized midway.”

Agatu Local Government Chairman, Melvin James, confirmed the tragedy on Sunday, stating that over 20 people were suspected dead.

“Local divers have recovered some bodies, but I am awaiting a formal update for the exact figure,” James said, adding that efforts were underway to console the affected families in coordination with Nasarawa State officials.

The Nigerian Navy has been contacted to assist with ongoing rescue operations, while local divers continue their search for survivors and bodies.

Efforts to reach Benue State Police Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, for further details were unsuccessful as of the time of this report.

This accident highlights the dangers faced by river commuters in the region, often reliant on wooden boats for transportation. Authorities are expected to launch investigations into the cause of the incident and take measures to prevent future occurrences.

A group under the aegies of National League For the Defense of Democracy and Accountability has urged the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia to address the security situation in the state headlong.
This is as they also asked him to
purge himself of baseless allegations and unnecessary blame game over the continued killings of innocent people in Benue state.

It further said the Governor’s continuous shades and bulk passing are clear Indications of ineffectiveness and lack of political will to deal with the incessant attacks witnessed in Sankara, Gwer West and other parts of the state.

The Civil society organisation particularly expressed disappointment at comments credited to the Governor, for consistently shifting the blame on “Abuja based politicians ” rather than collaborating with the federal government to flush out miscreants and prosecute those instigating the mayhem.

The NGO through its National President Professor John Katung accused the Governor of playing the ostrich, cheap blackmail and attempts to play politics with the lives of the people and provide more incentives to the attackers .

It also accused the Governor of alleged refusal to honour an agreement to offer amnesty to the bandits which is escalating the insecurity in the state.

It said “situation is a conspiracy against the harmless people , we have watched videos where this same Governor promised them amnesty and where the bandits have claimed the promised is not been kept, So the Governor needs to come clean”.

The CSO said it is worried that the Governor could not exercise patience for the release of the report of a panel of inquiry he set up, stressing that his comments will predetermine and teleguide the panel.

The organisation pointed out that the Benue killings which has contributed to the food insecurity across Nigeria can be tackled with a high sense of commitment and not playing to the gallery.

The organisation called on the state Government to approach the federal government for assistance to curb the raising insecurity in the state especially the daily attacks on Katsina-Ala and Ukum and some parts of Apa/Agatu local Government Area, rather than making sweeping allegations that can’t be substantiated while the people are gunned down and butchered senselessly .

While commending efforts by the Senator representing Benue North East in the 10th Senate, Emmanuel Udende for first bringing the attention of the world to this on-going carnage through motions and sponsorship of bills that seek to address the entire insecurity, terrorism and other vices ; the organisation challenged the state Governor to publish names of sponsors of the killings for Nigerians and the Benue people to see or shut up.

Describing as irresponsible, it expressed shock that the Governor has chosen the most gullible path that will not restore peace in the troubled areas.

The group maintained that no Nation or society can make any meaningful progress in an atmosphere of chaos and insecurity.
It urged the state Governor to work closely with members of the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders to ending the killing, adding that leadership entails critical thinking and not accusations that have no basis and do not address a problem.

“We have being following the unfolding killings in Benue state, particularly the comments from the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia and we feel the Governor ought to be more circumspect and measured in his utterances .

“It is our considered opinion that the solution to this new wave of killings in Benue state has contributed to the food crisis in Nigeria.
“The needless and senseless killing of innocent people is simply unacceptable and we call on the Governor to step up actions, collaborate with the federal government, stakeholders including Members of the National and state Assembly, traditional institutions, the youths and find a lasting solution rather than throwing shades and going on wild accusations while the lives of the people are being wasted on a daily basis .

“We condemn the lost of lives in any part of Nigeria and we are alarmed that politicians at the level of a governor will chose to play politics with the lives of his people. What is the solution in telling the people that sponsors of what befalls them are Abuja politicians, why can’t you name them and prosecute them according to the laws of the land. Why create an undue tension.

” We must commend the senator representing one of the troubled zones, Senator Emmanuel Udende for his efforts so far but what about other lawmakers from the zones affected. Why are they not speaking up?

“This is time to end this killings, and it baffles us that the same zone where the Governor hails from will become a killing field and all the Governor as chief security officer of the state will be more interested in passing the bulk.

“Benue state with three senators , Secretary to the Government of the Federation,handful of appointments into Agencies of the Federal Government should come together and end this carnage . This is not the time to make a causations that cannot be substantiated .

“We call on the Federal government to pay attention to what is coming out of Benue State in terms of this killings and device a means of ending this blood bath .

“The statement co-signed by the secretary of the organisation Dr Ahmad Kassim expressed concerns that the situation in Sankara , Ukum , Katsina and Agatu in zone C should not be treated with levity .

The statement cautioned that , ” Benue is very essential in the North Central region, some parts of North East , south South and South East .

“Benue bothers Nasarawa in the North Central ,Taraba in the North East , Cross River in the South South and Enugu state in the South East ,so we cant afford to allow to remain a killer-field . The state Government must find solutions to this ugly situation and must liaise with stakeholders to end the killings.

“Once again we commend the Benue North East senator, Emmanuel Udende for his efforts . But he can’t do it alone , he needs the support of his state Government . It is our expectation that the state Governor will heed this call, set aside political differences because he cannot govern the dead “.

“We want to state without equivocation that the Governor lacks capacity and the right temperament to lead and should either resign or take his duties as chief security officer of the state more seriously by ending this attacks .

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the governorship election in Benue State

The apex court also affirmed the election of the priest-turned-politician.b.

The apex court decision followed the withdrawal of an appeal by counsel for Titus Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sebastian Hon.

Uba had challenged the victory of Alia of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, Abuja, upheld Alia’s election as Benue governor in line with the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the March 18 governorship election.

The Court of Appeal had earlier ruled that it lacked the jurisdiction to hear the petition because it was a pre-election matter.

The court held that Uba should have prosecuted the forgery allegation against the deputy governor, Sam Ode, at the high court.

It also held that Uba failed to prove allegations of forgery against Ode beyond all reasonable doubt.

On Monday, the PDP candidate pursued the matter to the Supreme Court, and the apex court dismissed his appeal and affirmed Alia’s election.

Alia, a first-time governorship contestant had defeated PDP in Benue. Alia succeeded Samuel Ortom of the PDP who was governor of the state for eight years.