From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi, and James Azania, Lokoja
All 28 youths who boarded the ill-fated boat, which sank on River Benue on Sunday, were children and relatives of mobile policemen serving in the state, The Nation has learnt.
The youths were members of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) located in a mobile police barracks, Adeke, Makurdi, the state capital.
They were said to have boarded the boat after last Sunday service on their way to an evangelism programme when their vessel overturned midway into the sail.
on Tuesday, police said 14 bodies consisting eight females and six males were recovered from the river.
Read Also: Buhari describes Lagos, Benue boat mishaps as sad
Police spokesperson Kate Anene said the search for the victims was ongoing.
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has condoled with the families of the victims of the Benue accident as well as that of Lagos.
NIWA, in a statement on Tuesday, in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, described both accidents as avoidable, warning boat operators to adhere strictly to safety guidelines.
“The authority is sad over the recent boat accidents in Lagos and Benue states, that claimed many lives, as a result of violating inland waterways transportation safety guidelines.
“The Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, Dr George Moghalu wishes to commiserate with the families, people and government of the affected states,” the statement said.
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