Passengers missing in Taraba boat accident

Tension has gripped communities across Taraba State and its neighbouring regions following a boat accident near the abandoned Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area.

The incident, which occurred on Friday evening after a torrential downpour lasting over three hours, has left three passengers missing as rescue efforts intensify.

Local sources confirmed the mishap, though the total number of passengers on board remains unknown. Search and rescue operations, involving local authorities and volunteers, are currently ongoing.

The Namnai Bridge, once a critical link connecting Taraba to Benue State and other parts of the North Central, North East, and North West, collapsed last year and has since been left unrepaired by both state and federal governments.

With no reconstruction efforts underway, commuters have been forced to depend on makeshift boats to cross the river—an increasingly dangerous practice that has sparked growing safety concerns.

The latest mishap has reignited public outrage over the continued neglect of the collapsed bridge. Many residents have described the route as a “death trap” and a significant threat to both lives and livelihoods.

In a recent statement, Professor John Ajai, a university lecturer who narrowly escaped a similar ordeal last week, described the state of the bridge as “a daily threat to human lives.”

Recounting his experience, he said, “The boat’s propeller got stuck in the sand. We couldn’t berth. Passengers had to be evacuated under tense and unsafe conditions. The buses on board remained stranded for more than thirty minutes. It was divine mercy that prevented tragedy that day.”

Ajai condemned the situation as a clear “failure of national duty,” blaming the Federal Government for its silence.

He specifically criticized the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for failing to mobilize contractors or issue any public repair timelines.

He also called out federal lawmakers representing Taraba State for their inaction:

“You may not be directly responsible for executing federal works,” he said, “but your voices matter. Your silence also speaks volumes.”

Ajai questioned whether such neglect would be allowed to persist if the bridge were located in Abuja or Lagos, urging the Federal Government to treat the situation with the urgency it deserves.

As rescue operations continue, residents are once again appealing to all levels of government to act swiftly—before more lives are lost.