PC-NCG condoles families, Benue gov’t over River Katsina-Ala boat tragedy

The Provisional Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) expresses its deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Benue State, particularly the families and loved ones of those affected by the tragic boat accident on the River Katsina-Ala at the Buruku crossing point on Saturday, 3 October 2026.

In a statement by the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the PC-NCG, Capt. Noah Omonu Ichaba and made available to CAPITAL POST on Tuesday in Abuja, the PC-NCG mourn the lives reportedly lost, sympathise with those injured or rescued, and stand in solidarity with the communities whose loved ones were involved in this painful incident.

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“We also commend the rescuers, local communities, emergency responders and all those who have participated in the search-and-rescue efforts.

“This is not a moment for blame, but it is certainly a moment for sober reflection. Every life lost on Nigeria’s inland and coastal waters is a reminder that maritime safety cannot be treated as an afterthought.

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“While the exact circumstances and causes of the Katsina-Ala incident should be properly established by the competent authorities, reports surrounding the tragedy raise serious questions about passenger control, vessel capacity, safety equipment, manifesting, operational compliance, emergency preparedness and effective enforcement of existing maritime safety requirements.

“Where regulations already exist but are not consistently implemented, monitored and enforced, the nation must have the courage to identify the institutional gaps and close them.

“The PC-NCG wishes to make one point very clear: we are not suggesting that the establishment of a Coast Guard would make boat accidents impossible. No responsible maritime institution can guarantee that accidents will never occur.

“Rather, a properly established and adequately empowered Nigerian Coast Guard would provide an important statutory layer of civil maritime governance and civil maritime law enforcement, particularly across Nigeria’s inland waterways, coastal waters and maritime communities.

“Its responsibility would include ensuring that operators comply with prescribed safety standards before passengers are permitted to embark—not merely responding after tragedy has occurred.

“For example, basic preventive measures such as proper passenger manifests, compliance with approved passenger capacity, mandatory wearing or availability of approved personal flotation devices, vessel seaworthiness checks, registration and licensing compliance, safe boarding procedures, operator competency, navigation requirements and enforcement against overloading should never depend upon chance or goodwill.

“A passenger should not have to board a boat and hope that everything is in order. There must be an identifiable statutory authority with the presence, personnel, equipment and legal mandate to inspect, educate, regulate and, where necessary, stop unsafe operations before they become disasters. Safety rules have value only when they are effectively enforced.

“The Katsina-Ala tragedy should therefore challenge Nigeria to move beyond a predominantly reactive approach to maritime emergencies. Rescue after an accident is essential, but prevention is better than rescue, and enforcement is better than condolence.

“Nigeria needs a coordinated maritime safety architecture in which the appropriate institutions know precisely what they are responsible for, where their jurisdiction begins and ends, who monitors compliance, who responds to emergencies and who is accountable when established safety requirements are repeatedly ignored.

“Such an architecture must complement—not undermine—the legitimate responsibilities of existing agencies.

“The PC-NCG therefore calls for a thorough, transparent and evidence-based investigation into the circumstances surrounding the River Katsina-Ala incident, including the condition and capacity of the vessel, passenger numbers, manifesting arrangements, availability and use of life-saving equipment, competency of the operator, regulatory compliance, rescue preparedness and the circumstances preceding the accident.

“Where regulatory or administrative shortcomings are established, they should be addressed decisively—not merely for the sake of this particular incident, but to prevent the next tragedy.

“We also urge the relevant authorities to strengthen safety awareness among boat operators, passengers and riverine communities and to ensure that emergency-response mechanisms are adequately equipped and regularly tested.

“Finally, the PC-NCG calls upon the Federal Government, the National Assembly, relevant maritime and inland-waterway authorities, State Governments and riverine communities to treat maritime safety as a national responsibility and a matter of life and death.

“The proposed Nigerian Coast Guard should be considered within this broader national framework as a statutory institution capable of strengthening civil maritime governance, safety enforcement, surveillance, search and rescue, environmental protection and maritime law enforcement in cooperation with existing agencies.

“Nigeria does not need another institution merely for the sake of creating another institution; Nigeria needs clearly defined responsibility, effective coordination and enforceable accountability.

“We pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives, speedy recovery for the injured, comfort for the bereaved families, and strength for the Government and people of Benue State at this difficult time.

“No Blue Economy Without Blue Security and Blue Justice.”

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