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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has ordered full enforcement of standard safety measures to curtail the incessant boat mishaps at River Buruku, in Buruku Local Government Area of the State.
The Governor, through office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, manned by Chief Joseph Har, on Friday, launched a comprehensive enforcement of safety measures.
The initiative carried out in collaboration with the Buruku Local Government, security agencies and the traditional Council, mandates the compulsory use of life jackets, strict adherence to weather safety protocols, and compliance with other internationally recognized standard practices for water transport.
Our correspondent recalled that on Sunday night, January 11, 2026, six students returning to school lost their lives when their boat capsized in River Benue at the Buruku crossing point.
The Special Adviser said the enforcement of the curfew and use of live jackets would curb the alarming rate of boat mishaps on the river and restore public confidence in the ferry system pending the completion of the ongoing bridge project.
Har, a Security Awareness Evangelist who addressed marine workers, stakeholders, traditional rulers, and security agencies at the bank of the river, conveyed resolutions from the state’s high-level security meeting chaired by his colleague, the Special Adviser on Security and External Liaison, Col. Alex Igbaya Anshingu (Rtd.).
He said the meeting analysed the situation and resolved that the use of life jackets is now mandatory for all passengers and operators, overloading of boats is strictly prohibited.
“Consequently, no boat shall, under any circumstance, carry more than one vehicle at a time and boat operations must cease by 8:00 p.m. daily, two hours grace from the federal government’s 6:00pm,” he said.
The Adviser ordered the immediate barricading of access roads on both banks of the river after 8:00 p.m. sauteing that full enforcement of the life jacket mandate will commence on Fabuary 1, citing insufficient supply of the life jacket for now as reason.
He revealed that previously donated life jackets from himself, the Buruku local government, and other donors had been vandalized by former union executives and therefore appealed to the local government chairman and well-meaning individuals to donate life jackets to support the safety of commuters.
He also recommended a joint enforcement team comprising of the DSS, NPF, NIWA and the State’s security outfit, Civil Protection Guards (CPG) to ensure strict compliance.
Responding, the Chairman of the Marine Union and the Tyoor Mbaapen acknowledged the necessity of enforcement, noting that while community-level safety measures had been attempted, enforcement remained a challenge.
They expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, and the Security Adviser for their efforts at curbing river transport accident saying they hope to see tangible improvement with security agencies now taking charge.
