A farmer in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State has lost five of his six children after their canoe capsized on Sunday evening, local authorities and community sources confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred as the man and his children were returning from their farm across a river near Obagaji community. According to residents, the family had spent the day harvesting cassava, and they were heading home when the canoe suddenly overturned.
A community member, who identified himself simply as Ameh, told Punch by telephone that only one of the six children survived the mishap.
“The man and his six children went to harvest cassava. On their way back, the canoe sank midway. The father and one child managed to survive,” he said.
“The entire Obagaji community has been thrown into mourning.”
The Chairman of Agatu LG, Melvin James, confirmed the incident, describing it as “a deeply painful loss for the community.”
“The man and six of his children were returning home when the overloaded canoe capsized,” Mr James said. “Five children drowned while the father and one child survived.”
He said the mother was not in the boat when the tragedy occurred.
Recurring Boat Disasters
Boat accidents are common in Benue State, especially in riverine communities such as Logo, Buruku, and Agatu. Poorly maintained wooden canoes, lack of life jackets, and overloading have been blamed for the recurring fatalities.
In 2024, at least 14 mourners died when a boat carrying funeral attendees capsized in Logo LGA, while 20 traders—mostly women and children—lost their lives in Agatu after a similar accident on the Benue River.
Despite these repeated tragedies, communities in the area still depend on small canoes as their main means of transportation and livelihood connection, particularly during the farming season.
When contacted on Sunday night, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Udeme Edet, did not respond to calls seeking comment.
Meanwhile, residents say they are calling for stricter safety measures on local waterways, including proper regulation of canoe operations and community awareness on water transport safety.
