Two persons have been rescued after their boat capsized on the Ibaka waterways in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, said the victims were saved by operatives of the Marine Police Operational and Surveillance Patrol Team who were on routine patrol when the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, said in a statement on Friday in Uyo that the vessel, a blue W23 speedboat with inscription “LET’S PRAY”, was conveying goods from Oron to Cameroon when it sank at about 1:30 p.m.
Preliminary findings, according to John, indicated that the driver, identified simply as Mr Daniel, was attempting to drain water from the boat by adjusting its seacock when waves generated by another passing boat destabilised it. The vessel subsequently took in more water and sank.
Those rescued were the driver and his conductor, Mr Kani. No life was lost and no goods were recovered as of the time of filing this report.
Azare, who lauded the marine police for their prompt intervention, cautioned boat operators against unsafe practices. He advised that vessels must be confirmed seaworthy before any trip, warned against overloading and stressed the need for life jackets for all persons on board.
He also urged users of the waterways to be more cautious in areas with heavy traffic.
The police command said patrols and surveillance on the state’s waterways would be intensified in partnership with other security agencies to protect lives and property.
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