A pregnant woman, a female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, and a 70-year-old chief were among the passengers killed in a boat accident on Saturday between Otuan and Ayama communities in Bayelsa State’s Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas.
A mother and her two children were also among the victims.
According to Daily Post, one of the victims was a 70-year-old man identified as Chief Lucky Daniels, from Otuan community and also a father to a journalist in the state.
At the time of this report, the boat and the victims’ bodies were still missing, with rescue and search efforts underway at Ayama Community.
According to reports, the 15-passenger boat slammed into a barrier while attempting to berth close to the Ayama community. The afternoon rainstorm, which forced all passengers to cover themselves with tarpaulin and reduced visibility, was also suspected of contributing to the disaster.
“My father was involved,” Domo Timi, a journalist whose father was one of the accident victims, said over the phone. “Rescue teams have been dispatched to check the scene for possible rescue.”
He however expressed confidence in more survivors due to the fact that most passengers were putting on life jackets.
The elected Chairman of the Maritime Union in Otuan Community, Joseph Shedrack told newsmen, that the boat driver, Lucky Christopher, who survived the accident, has been detained by the Police Unit in Ayama over alleged reckless driving.
”I was chairman of the Union but some persons who claimed to know more than themselves have been taking charge of the Otuan Unit. If I had been around, i would not have allowed the loading of the boat due to poor visibility and bad weather”.
He said preliminary investigations showed that the weather was bad and rain storm started but “those claiming to be acting allowed such trip. I was told a Corps member, two children and a woman died. Even the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor has called me.”
The State Chairman of the Maritime Union, Ipigansi Ogoniba, however, told newsmen, that six persons have been confirmed missing and dead.
”Six persons died. When the boat got to Ayama, it had a mishap. One corpse was recovered and handed to the family for proper burial. While three adults and three children were still missing or probably dead,” he said.
On the identity of the corps member involved in the boat disaster, Comrade Ogoniba said the authorities of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have been contacted through the Community Liaison Officer (CLO),” they are still searching for her corpse and we have reached out to the NYSC for her identity.”
The spokesman of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Buatswat, also confirmed the incident but said he is yet to be properly briefed on the number of casualties and what led to the accident.
When contacted, the State Public Relations Officer of the NYSC, Mathew Ngobua, said “We got the information and the State Coordinator and other staff left the Orientation and went to the place”
“The State Coordinator told me that the corps member’s name is said to be on the passenger manifest and the said corps member is not at the lodge”
“However, we will make a detailed report after the search and rescue or when the body is recovered.
The NYSC will make an official brief when the body is sighted and properly identified.”
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