Benue government suspends maritime workers’ union over boat accident, orders skipper’s arrest

The Benue State Government suspended the Buruku branch of the Nigeria Union of Maritime Workers (NUMW) following a boat accident on the River Katsina-Ala that left several passengers missing. The operator of the affected crossing was also suspended, and the boat skipper was ordered to be arrested and detained pending investigation. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing with local divers, and an inter-ministerial committee has been formed to investigate the incident and recommend safety measures.