The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (Benue-SEMA) has deployed local divers to search for passengers still missing following a boat accident on River Katsina-Ala in Buruku Local Government Area of the state.

Head of the Information Unit of Benue-SEMA, Tema Ager, confirmed the development in a telephone interview in Makurdi on Monday.

Ager said the search operation had been difficult due to challenging conditions in the affected section of the river, including submerged motorcycles and other materials obstructing the divers.

He said 125 passengers had so far been rescued, while more than nine others remained missing as the search and rescue operation continued.

According to him, the figures remained provisional as authorities were still working to establish the exact number of people who were aboard the ill-fated boat.

Ager said about 138 people were initially believed to have been involved in the incident, but the authorities were reconciling information obtained from survivors, relatives of victims and community leaders.

He added that 38 motorcycles were reportedly transported on the boat, with three passengers said to have been associated with each motorcycle.

He said life jackets had previously been provided, but some passengers often failed to wear them before boarding boats.

The official urged passengers using the Buruku crossing point and other waterways to comply with safety instructions and always wear life jackets to prevent avoidable deaths.