By John Odhe, YENAGOA
Details have emerged on what led to the boat mishap that claimed the lives of Rev. Canon Ovie-King Omoyibo, a resident pastor of the Anglican Church Odioama, in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and his wife, Mrs. Ruth Omoyibo last week.
Information at our disposal has it that an alleged carelessness of the boat driver (name withheld) led to the untimely demise of the young couple.
According to our source, the said driver who is now in police custody, the passenger boat took off from Odioama waterside overloaded with about 17 passengers onboard a 12-passenger capacity boat and was heading to Egweama community for a missionary programme.
To worsen the situation, it has been revealed that the passengers were without lifejackets, which is a compulsory policy for maritime journeys in Bayelsa State.
We gathered that the tragedy struck when the driver attempted to boycott a security checkpoint in order to avert punishment for violating maritime travel rules.
In doing that, it was learnt that the driver reversed and took a farther and rougher route which led to the unfortunate incident due to heavy wave and absence of rescuers as a result of the remoteness of the area.
The late clergyman, who is a native of Uzere community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State and his wife would be buried on of.
