Eight Die in Benue Boat Mishap

At least 11 persons reportedly lost their lives yesterday when a boat they were traveling in capsized at Kaambe crossing point at Gbajimba in Guma local government area of Benue State. Guma is the hometown of Governor Samuel Ortom.

The Sole Administrator of the council, Mr. Anthony Shawon who made this known in Makurdi, said the boat which was conveying the victims who were mourners was overloaded when the incident happened.

He attributed the cause of the mishap to heavy wind, adding that most of the victims who were heavily drunk at the time of the accident refused to heed the advice of the boat paddlers that the passengers be ferried in batches.

According to the Sole Administrator, the unfortunate incident sparked the angry reaction from youths of the area who went on a rampage making a bonfire and further resorted to attacks on some persons.