At least 11 persons reportedly lost their lives yesterday
when a boat they were traveling in capsized at Kaambe crossing point at
Gbajimba in Guma local government area of Benue State.
Guma is the
home town of Governor Samuel Ortom. The Sole Administrator of the council, Mr.
Anthony Shawon who made this known in Makurdi, said the boat which was
conveying the victims who were mourners was overloaded when the incident
happened.
He attributed the cause of the mishap to heavy wind, adding
that most of the victims who were heavily drunk at the time of the accident
refused to heed advise of the boat paddlers that the passengers be ferried in
batches.
According to the Sole Administrator, the unfortunate
incident sparked angry reaction from youths of the area who went on rampage
making bonfire and further resorted to attacks on some persons. “They protested
that the incident had a superstitious connotation.
They ended up stoning three elders to death in addition to
the eight that drowned and went further to burn down their houses. “The irate
youths also attacked the district head of Gbajimba, Gwatse Akaahena who had the
windscreen of his car smashed. “I tried to calm them down, but they went wild going
after every elder in the area.
I, then saw another group of Indian hemp smokers with
matchete parading the area. “I reported the incident to soldiers and mobile
police officers who swiftly intervened and restored security to the area though
no arrests have been made so far.” Shawon said.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations
Officer ASP Moses Yamu confirmed the incident, noting that there was mob action
in Gbajimba but added that normalcy had since been restored in the area while
investigation into the matter had commenced.
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