A tragic incident has thrown Obagaji community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State into mourning after five children from the same family drowned when a canoe carrying them and their father capsized on Sunday evening.
According to reports, the victims were returning home with their father after spending the day working on their farm across the river when the mishap occurred. The canoe, which was said to be overloaded and poorly balanced, reportedly lost stability in the middle of the water before overturning.
Eyewitnesses said the father managed to survive the accident but could not rescue his children as the strong current swept them away. Despite frantic rescue efforts by local divers and villagers who rushed to the scene, the bodies of the children were later recovered lifeless.
A resident of the community, who gave his name as Audu, described the incident as devastating, noting that the family had just started preparing for the harvest season.
“It’s a very painful loss. The man went to the farm with his children in the morning. Unfortunately, while returning, their canoe capsized and all his children drowned. The entire community is in tears,” he said.
Community leaders have called on government authorities and relevant agencies to provide safety measures such as life jackets and safer boats for people who rely on canoes as their primary means of transportation across rivers in Agatu and other riverine parts of Benue State.
As of the time of this report, local authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but sympathizers have continued to visit the bereaved family, offering prayers and support as they mourn the tragic loss of their children.
Sunday Buna Ibrahim is a seasoned journalist with Daily Frontier (dailyfrontier.com.ng), where he reports on security, conflicts, and humanitarian issues across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, particularly Plateau and Benue States. He also serves as a News Producer at Vision FM Radio in Abuja. Prior to joining Daily Frontier, he worked with Radio Nigeria, Fombina FM Yola in Adamawa State between 2019 and 2020.
