Two persons, including a serving police officer and a female passenger, have died in two separate boat accidents recorded in Bayelsa State within two days.
The incidents, involving a passenger boat that capsized in Brass Local Government Area and a collision between an oil tanker vessel and canoes in Sagbama Local Government Area, have renewed concerns over safety on the state’s waterways.
The Bayelsa State Police Command, in a statement issued on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, said seven of the eight passengers aboard the boat travelling from Yenagoa to Akassa were rescued after it capsized along the Abedigbene waterways on Thursday, November 6.
Among those rescued were the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Ebiere Jones, and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The police said the incident was reported by Maritime Union workers in Brass, following which personnel of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, local divers and members of the Abedigbene fishing community began search and rescue operations.
Although seven passengers were rescued, the police officer initially reported missing was later confirmed dead.
The second incident occurred at about 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, along the shoreline of Angalabiri community in Sagbama LGA.
According to the police, preliminary investigations showed that a tanker vessel belonging to Sterling Global Oil Limited, while navigating close to the shoreline, reportedly struck several canoes, destroying them.
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One of the canoes had a female passenger, identified as Mrs Victoria Abetnigo, an indigene of Angalabiri community, who sustained serious injuries in the collision.
The police said she was immediately taken to Ebedeibiri General Hospital for treatment but was later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
Her remains were subsequently deposited at Ofoni Mortuary, while investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Police Commissioner, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, expressed sadness over the two incidents and extended condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of the deceased.
He particularly expressed grief over the death of the police officer, describing the loss as painful to the command.
The commissioner also commended the Nigerian Navy, local divers, Maritime Union workers and members of the Abedigbene fishing community for their quick response and efforts that led to the rescue of seven passengers.
He urged boat operators and commercial vessel owners to observe maritime safety regulations and exercise caution while navigating the waterways.
According to him, commercial vessels should maintain safe distances from shorelines and canoe routes to avoid collisions with smaller boats.
He also advised passengers to wear life jackets throughout their journeys and urged waterway users to report emergencies promptly to the relevant authorities.
The police command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
