Edith CHUKU
The Rivers State Police command says it has commenced investigations into the devastating incident; where a wooden boat capsized, leading to the death of eleven persons.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko explained that “on 09/01/2024 at about 0915hrs, information received that a local wooden boat powered by a single 25HP Yamaha engine carrying passengers from Ukwa Community in Ngo town in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, enroute Bonny Island, sank while approaching Amariaria community in Finima town.
“On 08/01/2024 at 2000hrs , on the strength of the information, the O/C Marine SP Ogarachi Chima, moved to the scene of the incident of the boat mishap and discovered eleven (11) passengers feared drowned. Investigation is in progress.”
Meanwhile, the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has expressed deepest grief over the unfortunate boat mishap.
In a statement by his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Boniface Onyedi, the governor condoled and sympathized with the affected families of the dead and all the victims of the boat mishap.
Fubara assured that his administration would continue to work to ensure that traveling on the sea routes becomes safer for travelers and riverine community dwellers.
He said “I commiserate and condole with families of the victims of the boat accident that led to the loss of lives, and near death experienced by our brothers and sisters that were involved in the boat mishap.
“It is indeed a very unfortunate and sad incident and we pray that, God shall give all of them the strength to bear the loss and speedy recovery to those who survived.
“As a government, we will continue to work to ensure that such threats against safe traveling on our sea routes are tackled. “
