Two persons died while 10 others were rescued when a speedboat conveying passengers across River Benue from Karim Lamido Local Government Area to Lau capsized.
The Taraba State police public relations officer, ASP David Misal, said that 10 of the 12 persons on board the Ill-fated boat were rescued, while efforts were still on to recover the remaining two persons several hours after the accident.
Misal said that the chances of the two other persons being found alive were very minimal, considering how turbulent the river was and the amount of time that has passed since the accident.
According to a police source, the speedboat was crossing the Karim-Lau stretch of the River Benue with 11 passengers and the boatman at full speed when it capsized but divers were able to rescue 10 persons, including the driver.
“The speedboat was coming from the Karim Lamido side of the river and heading towards Lau at top speed. When the boy that was riding it wanted to dock, I think he just lost control because of the speed and the boat overturned.
“We usually have divers on both sides of the river, so they were able to rescue 10 persons out of the 12, including the rider. Unfortunately, two persons are still missing and we are now searching for their bodies.
At this time of the year, the river is very high and strong, so you cannot expect them to still be alive. We just want to make sure that we, at least, recover their bodies,” Lesku said.
The latest accident is coming weeks after nine National Youth Service Corps members posted to the state drowned in Kogin Salihu during a picnic.
