Two waterway accidents in Bayelsa State on Thursday and Saturday have killed a serving police officer and a woman, the state Police Command confirmed.
The first incident occurred on the Abedigbene waterways in Brass Local Government Area when a passenger boat capsized while travelling from Yenagoa to Akassa. Eight people were on board, including Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce Dr Ebiere Jones. Seven passengers were rescued, among them the commissioner and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, but a police officer who was initially reported missing was later confirmed dead.
Maritime Union workers in Brass reported the incident, prompting a search‑and‑rescue operation by personnel of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, in collaboration with local divers and members of the Abedigbene fishing community.
The second accident took place at about 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, 7 November, along the shoreline of Angalabiri Community in Sagbama Local Government Area. A tanker vessel belonging to Sterling Global Oil Ltd reportedly collided with canoes navigating close to the shore. Preliminary investigations indicated the vessel struck and destroyed several canoes. Mrs Victoria Abetnigo, an indigene of Angalabiri, sustained serious injuries, was rushed to Ebedebiri General Hospital, but was pronounced dead. Her remains were deposited at Ofoni Mortuary while investigations continue.
Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State Command CP Ajao Saka Adewale expressed sadness over the incidents, extended condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased, and specifically lamented the loss of the police officer. He urged boat operators and commercial vessel owners to exercise caution, comply strictly with maritime safety regulations, maintain safe distances from shorelines and established canoe routes, and advised passengers to wear life jackets at all times.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and thanked the Nigerian Navy, local divers, Maritime Union workers and the Abedigbene fishing community for their prompt intervention during the rescue operations.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
