A tragic boat collision claimed two lives and left 13 missing near Akede community in Bayelsa State on Tuesday evening.
The speedboat meeting Marine, en route from Anyama Ijaw to Lobia, slammed into a wooden fishin
g boat, drowning a woman and child instantly.
Police swiftly detained the speedboat driver for questioning as divers scoured the murky waters for survivors.
Authorities confirmed rescue teams face challenges due to strong currents and limited visibility hampering efforts.
The Maritime Workers Union joined search operations, deploying divers and local volunteers to comb the area.
Union chairman Ogoniba Ipigansi noted all missing passengers wore life jackets, fueling hopes some might still survive.
“We’re combing every creek—this tragedy demands urgency,” Ipigansi stressed, coordinating teams near the crash site.
Families gathered ashore, pleading for updates as dusk complicated rescue attempts.
Meanwhile, community leaders criticized lax safety measures, citing recurring accidents on the bustling waterways.
Many demand stricter speed limits and mandatory safety drills to prevent future disasters.
Bayelsa’s police spokesperson, DSP Musa Muhammad, vowed a thorough probe into the collision’s cause.
Preliminary reports suggest overcrowding and reckless navigation contributed to the crash, though investigations continue.
Locals recounted prior near-misses, accusing operators of prioritizing profit over passenger safety.
“We’ve warned about reckless drivers for years,” fumed a fisherman, his voice trembling with grief.
As night fell, rescue teams suspended operations but pledged to resume at dawn.
Volunteers distributed food and water to exhausted families clinging to fading hope.
The state government pledged support, promising to review maritime regulations and enhance patrols.
Officials urged operators to prioritize life jackets and avoid overloading vessels during peak travel times.
Survivors of past accidents echoed calls for change, sharing harrowing tales of narrow escapes.
“This could’ve been prevented,” lamented a trader who lost relatives in a 2022 collision.
Environmentalists highlighted clogged waterways, blaming poor waste management for hidden debris that endangers boats.
They urged cleanup initiatives to safeguard both ecosystems and commuters.
Religious leaders organized vigils, uniting the community in prayer for the missing.
Women lit candles along the shore, their songs echoing under a moonlit sky.
National emergency agencies dispatched additional divers and equipment to bolster local efforts.
Federal lawmakers pledged to fast-track legislation enforcing stricter penalties for safety violations.
As dawn broke, renewed searches yielded no breakthroughs, deepening anguish among waiting families.
Officials assured the public updates would follow, urging patience amid escalating tensions.
The incident underscores Nigeria’s struggle with maritime safety, where overcrowded boats and lax enforcement routinely turn waterways into death traps.
Activists stress urgent reforms to avert further loss.
For now, Akede’s community mourns, grappling with grief while clinging to fragile hope.
The river, once a lifeline, now bears witness to a haunting tragedy.
