Taraba Tragedy: Boat Capsizes Near Collapsed Namnai Bridge, Three Feared Dead, Dozens Missing

By Our Correspondent

A wave of sorrow and anger has swept through communities in Taraba State following a tragic boat accident near the abandoned Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area. The incident occurred on Friday evening after a heavy downpour lasting over three hours and has resulted in at least three people feared dead, with several others still unaccounted for.

According to eyewitnesses, the overloaded boat—carrying both passengers and goods—was attempting to cross the Namnai River when it capsized, throwing all occupants into the raging current. In response, local authorities and volunteers have launched a search and rescue mission, scouring the riverbanks for survivors and victims.

The Namnai Bridge, once a key link between Taraba and Benue States and a vital route connecting the North Central, North East, and North West regions, collapsed in 2023. Since then, no reconstruction effort has been made by either the federal or state governments. With no safer alternative, residents have been forced to rely on makeshift boats, exposing themselves to repeated risks.

This latest disaster has reignited public frustration over government inaction, with many residents describing the collapsed bridge as a “death trap” and a stark symbol of neglect.

Among the vocal critics is Professor John Ajai, a university lecturer who narrowly avoided a similar accident just days earlier. He recounted:

> “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 over thirty minutes. It was only divine mercy that saved us from disaster.”

Ajai condemned the Federal Government’s failure to act, specifically calling out the Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for their silence. He also criticised federal lawmakers from the state for their lack of advocacy.

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

He urged authorities to consider how swiftly action would have followed had such a collapse occurred in cities like Abuja or Lagos, and called for the Namnai Bridge to be treated with equal urgency.

As the search continues, the tragedy underscores the deadly consequences of deteriorating infrastructure across Nigeria. Locals are demanding immediate reconstruction of the bridge and safer transportation alternatives to prevent further loss of life.

Without immediate intervention, many fear more tragedies may lie ahead.