Two people, including a serving police officer, have died in separate waterway accidents in Bayelsa State, raising fresh concerns over maritime safety in the oil-producing state. The Bayelsa State Police Command said the first incident occurred on Thursday, 6 November, when a passenger boat travelling from Yenagoa to Akassa capsized along the Abedigbene waterways in Brass Local Government Area.
Eight people were aboard the boat. Seven, including the state Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Ebiere Jones, and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were rescued following a joint operation involving the Nigerian Navy, local divers and community fishermen.
The missing police officer was later confirmed dead. In a separate incident at about 5.20am on Saturday, 7 November, an oil tanker operated by Sterling Global Oil Ltd reportedly collided with canoes navigating near the shoreline of Angalabiri Community in Sagbama Local Government Area.
The collision destroyed several canoes and left a local woman, identified as Mrs Victoria Abetnigo, seriously injured. She was rushed to Ebedeibiri General Hospital but was later pronounced dead. Her remains were deposited at Ofoni Mortuary. The police said investigations were under way to establish the circumstances surrounding both tragedies.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, expressed condolences to the families and colleagues of the victims, while commending the Navy, local divers, maritime workers and fishermen for their swift response to the boat accident. He urged commercial vessel operators to observe maritime safety regulations, maintain safe distances from shorelines and established canoe routes, and avoid reckless navigation.
He also advised passengers to wear life jackets throughout their journeys.