The management of Benue Links Limited says no life was lost when one of its buses, traveling from Zaki Biam to Makurdi, capsided, while “attempting to cross River Benue on an unstable ferry.”
There are footage online, showing Benue Links bus floating on the river at the Abuku/Buruku harbour. Only recently, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) says it is criminal to travel on Nigeria’s waterways without safety measures in place.
Mr. Johnson Ehi, the company’s information officer, says in a statement that “all passengers on board are safe, and no life was lost in the incident.”
“The vehicle has been successfully recovered and is currently undergoing assessment for repairs. It will be restored promptly to continue serving the public.”
According to a statement by Mr. Ehi, Benue Links vehicles traveling to Benue North East and surrounding towns are under strict instructions to use the Ugbema-Katsina-Ala route.
Although not independently verified by TNT, “the temporary use of the Buruku crossing point was suggested by some passengers due to the poor state of the (Ugbema-Gboko Road) road during the peak of the rainy season,” contrary to the company’s policy.
The statement reassures the company’s “customers of continued safe, reliable, comfortable, and affordable transport services, especially as we approach the yuletide season.”
Efforts to reach the Tombo Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria proved abortive as at time of filing this report.
