RismadarVoice Reporters
October 22, 2026
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reportedly pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of about 10 people following a boat tragedy in Kula community, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred amid a dispute over the planned removal of an oil storage vessel from the community, following allegations of environmental pollution and unresolved compensation demands.
The governor’s assurance was conveyed through his Chief of Staff, Sunny Ewule, when aggrieved residents reportedly staged a peaceful protest at Government House, Port Harcourt, to demand justice for those affected.
The protesters called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and accountability for anyone found responsible.
Fubara expressed sympathy with the affected families and, according to the account of the engagement, assured the community that the government would take steps to establish what happened.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, October 20, when community members attempted to prevent the movement of a vessel connected to oil operations at Oil Mining Lease 55.
Community sources alleged that armed men in military uniform arrived in gunboats to facilitate the vessel’s removal despite objections from residents demanding environmental remediation and compensation.
During the confrontation, a boat conveying community members reportedly capsized, resulting in multiple deaths.
Some community representatives alleged that a gunboat struck their vessel, but the circumstances of the incident and the involvement of security personnel have not been independently established.
A community leader and former spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, alleged that the disagreement arose from unresolved obligations connected to oil operations in the area.
He said community members had demanded compensation for an alleged oil spill and other commitments before the vessel could be removed.
Sara-Igbe identified the vessel dispute as involving operations linked to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Belema Oil, while also raising allegations against parties associated with the vessel’s removal.
However, Max Shipping Services Limited, which identified itself as the owner of the Anambra Basin floating storage and offloading vessel, has denied responsibility for the tragedy.
In a statement issued on October 21, the company said the vessel had been hired to Menal Technical Services Limited and maintained that its own involvement was limited to ownership and efforts to retrieve the equipment.
The company expressed sympathy over the reported loss of life and called for an independent investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that lives were lost in the boat accident.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, said investigators were working to establish the precise casualty figure and determine the events leading to the tragedy.
Community leaders have reported at least 10 deaths, while separate accounts indicate that other passengers may still be missing.
The incident has renewed concerns about environmental disputes, community relations and security operations around oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta.
Affected residents are demanding a transparent investigation, appropriate compensation where liability is established and measures to prevent similar incidents.
