After a tragic boat accident killed 11 people on the River Benue, Nigeria’s safety bureau has launched a full investigation to find out what went wrong.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has opened an inquiry into a boat accident in Benue State that claimed the lives of 11 passengers, cbinews.tv reports.

The NSIB says its team is now working to piece together what happened and spot any safety gaps that may have led to the tragedy.

In a statement on Thursday, Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, said NSIB Director General Captain Alex Badeh Jr. led investigators to Wadata, a community along the River Benue, for an initial assessment.

The visit was all about gathering first hand information. The team spoke with residents, boat operators and other stakeholders while checking safety conditions along the waterway.

It is part of a wider push to improve safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways and stop similar incidents from happening again.

During the visit, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia praised the bureau’s quick response. He called for stronger collaboration to make water transport safer in the state and asked for a sustained NSIB presence to support public awareness and risk reduction along the River Benue.

Badeh said the bureau is committed to working with state authorities, local communities, transport operators and regulatory agencies to lift safety standards nationwide.

“The NSIB welcomes every opportunity to collaborate with state governments, local communities, operators, and regulators in advancing transport safety. We remain committed to exploring practical avenues for institutionalising safer navigation on the River Benue and across Nigeria’s inland waterways,” he said.

The NSIB boss also expressed sympathy to the families of those who died, calling the accident a reminder that water transport operators and users need to stick to safety regulations.

“Our thoughts are with the families and communities affected by this unfortunate accident. Every loss of life is one too many,” Badeh said.

He added that many waterway accidents could be prevented with better safety awareness, responsible operations and stronger cooperation among stakeholders.

The investigative team held meetings with community leaders, residents, boat operators and members of the Boat Operators Association in Wadata. They gathered accounts of the incident and details on current operational challenges.

The NSIB said information from the field assessment will shape its final findings and guide recommendations to improve safety on inland waterways across Nigeria.

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