RismadarVoice Reporters
November 8, 2026
Two separate waterway accidents in Bayelsa State have claimed the lives of a serving police officer and a woman, while seven passengers, including a state commissioner, were rescued from a capsized boat.
The incidents occurred in Brass and Sagbama Local Government Areas, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed.
The first accident occurred on Thursday, November 5, along the Abedigbene waterways in Brass Local Government Area, involving a passenger boat travelling from Yenagoa to Akassa.
The boat, carrying eight passengers, capsized, prompting a rescue operation involving personnel of the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base FORMOSO, local divers and members of the Abedigbene fishing community.
Seven passengers were rescued, including the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Ebiere Jones, and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
However, a serving police officer initially declared missing was subsequently confirmed dead by the police.
In a separate incident at approximately 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, a tanker vessel reportedly struck several canoes near the shoreline of Angalabiri community in Sagbama Local Government Area.
According to preliminary police findings, the vessel, identified as belonging to Sterling Global Oil Limited, was navigating close to the shoreline when the collision occurred.
The impact reportedly destroyed some canoes and left a woman, identified as Mrs Victoria Abetnigo, seriously injured.
She was taken to Ebedeibiri General Hospital, where medical personnel subsequently pronounced her dead.
Her remains were deposited at Ofoni Mortuary, while investigations continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Reacting to the incidents, the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Ajao Saka Adewale, expressed condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased.
He commended the Nigerian Navy, Maritime Union workers, local divers and community members for their contributions to the rescue operation.
Adewale urged commercial vessel operators and boat owners to comply strictly with maritime safety regulations, particularly by maintaining safe distances from shorelines and designated canoe routes.
He also advised passengers to wear life jackets throughout their journeys and report emergencies promptly.
The police command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while investigations into the incidents continue.
