The death toll from the Saturday boat mishap on the Buruku River in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State has risen to four, including a clergy member identified as Rev. Fr. Moses Tsuagh.

Giving the update on Sunday in a telephone interview with our correspondent, the Information Officer for the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Tema Ager, said nine people were still missing.

Ager had told our correspondent on Saturday that more than 200 people, including 138 members of the Okada riders’ association and other people picked up at the waterside, were on board the ill-fated boat.

He had said, “There were 32 okada riders (motorcyclists) on board with their motorcycles, and each of the riders carried three people, meaning that one motorcycle was carrying four persons, including the rider.

“If you look at that, it gives us about 138; aside from this figure, there were other mourners who also joined the riders in the boat. While other people waiting at the waterside also joined them so what one of the victims who is a rider said was that about 200 passengers were on board.

The SEMA Information Officer, who spoke on Sunday at the scene of the incident, said 38 motorcycles were still under the water.

He said, “I can speak to you now on behalf of the government because I am right at the scene of the incident in Buruku.

“The update I have now is four dead bodies recovered; among them is Rev Fr. Moses Tsuagh and the missing persons are nine, while the total motorcycles in the water is 38.

“Though the number of motorcycles belonging to okada riders that are in the water is 32, later, some other boats that crossed had six of the motorcycles that sank in the water.”

The victims, who were reported to be returning from a burial ceremony, were from neighbouring Gboko LGA.

Meanwhile, the state government has suspended the Buruku crossing point branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime.

The state Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dennis Iyaghigba, directed the immediate suspension during an on-the-spot assessment of the scene.

The commissioner also directed the suspension of the line operator and the arrest and detention of the boat skipper involved in the incident.