Taraba: Three dead, others missing in boat mishap

At least three people have died and several others are missing after a boat carrying commuters capsized at the site of the collapsed Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The fatal incident occurred on Friday at about 7:00 p.m. as passengers attempted to cross the river using an overloaded boat, following the prolonged collapse of the critical bridge on the Jalingo–Wukari federal road.

Chairman of the Inland Water Transporters Association in Taraba, Jidda Mayoreniyo, confirmed the incident, disclosing that the boat was ferrying both people and vehicles when it sank. Four vehicles were retrieved from the river, while rescue operations managed to save some passengers. Others remain unaccounted for.

Eyewitnesses said luggage and personal belongings were also lost in the water, adding to the trauma of the survivors.

Reacting to the tragedy, activist and Taraba native Comrade Muhammad Isa described the incident as a preventable disaster caused by “criminal negligence” on the part of both federal and state authorities.

“For over a year, the Namnai Bridge has remained broken while government officials issue empty promises and take no action,” he said. “Now, innocent lives are lost because the people are left with no choice but to risk their lives on unsafe, unregulated boats.”

He blamed successive administrations for ignoring the plight of Taraba residents and demanded urgent government intervention.

“We demand immediate reconstruction of the Namnai Bridge, a full investigation into delays, compensation for affected families, and regulation of ferry operations with emergency safety measures,” Isa said.

He criticized the disparity in infrastructure response, saying, “If this bridge were in Abuja or Lagos, it would have been fixed within weeks. But because it’s in Taraba, our lives are treated as disposable.”

The Namnai Bridge collapsed over a year ago, cutting off a vital link between communities and forcing residents to rely on makeshift ferry services, which many say have become increasingly dangerous.

Calls are growing louder for authorities to act before more lives are lost.