Emmanuel Awari-Jalingo
An engine boat carrying over one hundred persengers capsized mid water at Benue river on Sarturday.
Daily Champion learnt that the engine boat was carrying over 100 traders including women and children to Binnari town in Karim Lamido local government area after attending Mayoreneyo fish market in Ardo Kola local government area.
The boat, it was gathered left Mayoreneyo local jetty at about 3:30 pm on Saturday carrying the persengers with their loads to Binnari town across the river Benue but it capsized after sailing from Mayoreneyo local jetty.
A resident of Mayoreneyo Musa Mayoreneyo told our correspondent that it was the same engine boat that ferried the persengers from Binnari to the Mayoreneyo town but unfortunately involved in the mishap while conveying the persengers back to their town after attending the market.
A resident of Binnari town Mallam Babangida Kwamnanda told Daily Champion in a Telephone interview that the entire Binnari town and surrounding villages are thrown into confusion following the incident.
“The boat was carrying many persengers mostly women and children who went to Mayoreneyo market.
A source at the Mayoreneyo local jetty told our reporter that non of the persengers inside the ill fated boat including the operator of the boat had life jacket when the incident occured.
The Acting chairman of inland water transporters in Taraba state Jidda Mayoreneyo told our correspondent that the boat was carrying over fifty persengers and it was heading to Binnari town with persengers who attended Mayoreneyo weekly markets.
“As at now, about fifteen bodies were recovered close to the scene where the boat capsized.
The chairman caretaker committee of Ardo Kola local government Alhaji Dalhatu Kawu confirmed the incident.
“The boat left Mayoreneyo local jetty yesterdays with many persengers travelling to Binnari in Karim Lamido local government area.
The police spoke Taraba police command SP Usman when contacted said he is yet to receive report of incident.