A festive Boxing Day outing ended in profound tragedy for a group of picnickers in Benue State, as three young men lost their lives to the waters of a local river.
Tragedy Strikes During Festive Leisure
The incident occurred on Thursday, December 26, 2025, in the Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State. The victims were part of a group that had visited the river for a day of leisure and celebration on the public holiday. What began as a fun-seeking excursion quickly descended into a nightmare, leaving the entire community in a state of shock and mourning.
Recovery Efforts and Community Grief
Following the distressing event, recovery operations were launched. On Saturday, the bodies of all three men were successfully recovered from the river. The scene at the riverbank was one of collective anguish, captured in photos that circulated on social media. The images showed emergency responders in action, an ambulance on standby, and crowds of anxious onlookers gathered, hoping for a miracle during the search and rescue mission.
One of the deceased has been identified as Msughter Felixe Terwase, a resident of Mkar in Gboko. The identities of the other two victims are yet to be formally released as authorities notify their families.
A River with a Dangerous Reputation
This heartbreaking event has once again cast a spotlight on the perilous nature of River Buruku. Local reports and community knowledge indicate that this particular river is notorious for its strong and unpredictable currents. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. The river has been the site of several drowning tragedies in past years, with festive periods often seeing a heightened risk as more people visit for recreation.
The Boxing Day drowning serves as a grim reminder of the hidden dangers that can accompany leisure activities near water bodies, especially those with known hazardous conditions. The community of Buruku is now left to grapple with the loss, a somber note marking the end of the year's celebrations.
