Two Persons De¶d As Boat Conveying M0urners C¶psizes

Two Persons Dead As Boat Conveying Mourners Capsizes

The victims, identified as David Ngwala —.a traditional music producer — and his niece, tragically drowned while ferrying the remains of David’s elder brother, Gabriel Ngwala, for burial in Dilli, Demsa Local Government Area.

Ajourney of mourners to lay a loved one to rest turned into a devastating tragedy on Tuesday, when a boat carrying mourners capsized on River Benue in Adamawa State, claiming the lives of two siblings.

The victims, identified as David Ngwala —.a traditional music producer — and his niece, tragically drowned while ferrying the remains of David’s elder brother, Gabriel Ngwala, for burial in Dilli, Demsa Local Government Area.

SaharaReporters gathered that the late Gabriel’s body had been brought from Lagos for burial on Wednesday, July 2.

David had earlier received his niece from Jalingo, Taraba State, to attend the ceremony. The family chose to cross the river by canoe from the Mbula River bank to Borrong, a route commonly used by local residents.

However, midway across the river, strong winds caused the canoe to overturn. David and his niece drowned, and their bodies were not recovered until more than 24 hours later.

In response to the tragedy, the traditional ruler of Mbula Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Bwaltam Biyapo Bently—who is also the Chief Mourner—swiftly intervened.

He issued a royal directive mandating the compulsory use of life jackets for all river crossings within his domain, stressing that neither locals nor visitors should suffer such preventable deaths under his reign.

Speaking at the riverbank, the monarch offered heartfelt prayers, asking God to comfort the bereaved family, the Dilli community, and the entire Mbula Kingdom.

The tragedy has sparked fresh calls for improved water transport safety measures in rural riverine communities across Adamawa State.