FIC Report (Benue State) – The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Alfred Aondoaver Emberga, on Tuesday, 20th January 2026, called on the Benue Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to urgently ensure safety on waterways across Benue State, particularly River Buruku.
The call was made during plenary at the Assembly Complex, Makurdi, following the adoption of a Motion of Urgent Public Importance on the tragic boat mishap involving secondary school students from Ukum State Constituency at the River Buruku crossing point.
The motion was sponsored by Hon. Engr. Ezra Nyiyongo (Ukum State Constituency).
Moving the motion, Hon. Nyiyongo informed the House that River Buruku serves as a major transportation route for rural communities in Buruku, Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas, conveying students, traders and other commuters due to the absence of safe and functional road networks along the axis.
The House noted with concern that boat transportation on the river is largely unregulated, with little or no enforcement of safety standards, including the use of life jackets, monitoring of operators, or adherence to passenger limits. This unsafe situation, the House observed, has resulted in frequent boat accidents leading to loss of lives and property.
The House further expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident of Monday, 19th January 2026, in which six secondary school students lost their lives and nine others were hospitalized after a wooden boat conveying them capsized while they were returning to Gboko to resume second-term academic activities.
The deceased students were identified as:
Kadoon Ageba
Mchivir Aondowase Kile
Vershima Aondona Vihiya
Mesuur Ajiva
Aondohemba Ajiva
Terkimbir Ajiva
All were indigenes of Tsaav Council Ward in Ukum State Constituency.
Worried that the continued neglect and lack of regulation of river transportation exposes commuters to avoidable dangers, the House resolved as follows:
To observe a one-minute silence in honour of the deceased students and convey its condolences through visits to the affected families and communities.
To mandate the relevant House Committees to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and report their findings to the House.
To direct the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, in collaboration with other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to establish a task force to regulate boat operations on River Buruku, with responsibilities to:
Register and license all boats and operators on the river;
Enforce compulsory use of life jackets and strict passenger load limits;
Conduct routine safety inspections and mandatory training for operators;
Establish approved jetties, navigation routes and emergency rescue services to prevent future occurrences.
Meanwhile, the House also passed the Bill to Amend the Law Establishing the Benue State Widows Commission and to Prohibit Harmful Cultural Practices Against Widows, Protect Them from Exploitative Acts and Punish Offenders, 2023, and for related purposes, 2025.
The bill followed the consideration of the report of the House Standing Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare, presented by its Chairman, Hon. (Mrs.) Beckie Torkwase Orpin (Gboko East State Constituency). Hon. Orpin noted that widows are exposed to untold hardship and abuse in society. The motion was seconded by Hon. Samuel Jiji, member representing Logo State constituency who described the bill as timely and appropriate.
The House also adopted the report of the Standing Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare on its familiarization visit to the Benue State Rehabilitation Board, Apir, also presented by Hon. (Mrs.) Beckie Torkwase Orpin.
The Speaker commended members for their robust deliberations and reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th Assembly to laws and resolutions that protect lives, promote social justice, and enhance the welfare of the people of Benue State.
Signed
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center FIC Makurdi
