By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued two persons after a speedboat sank along the Ibaka waterways in Mbo Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday when a blue W23 speedboat marked “LET’S PRAY” sank while travelling from Oron to Cameroon with goods onboard.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Uyo.
According to John, preliminary findings indicated that the boat driver, identified as Mr Daniel, was attempting to adjust the vessel’s seacock to drain water that had accumulated inside the boat when the incident occurred.
He said waves generated by another passing boat reportedly destabilised the vessel, causing more water to enter before it eventually sank.
John said the driver and his conductor, identified as Mr Kani, were rescued by the Marine Police Operational and Surveillance Patrol Team, which was on patrol in the area when the incident occurred.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the Marine Police personnel for their prompt intervention, noting that their response helped avert a possible loss of life.
Azare urged boat operators and passengers to make safety a priority by ensuring that vessels are seaworthy, avoiding overloading and providing life jackets for all passengers.
He also advised users of the waterways to exercise caution, particularly in areas experiencing heavy marine traffic.
The command said it would continue to strengthen patrols and surveillance across Akwa Ibom waterways in collaboration with other security agencies to safeguard lives and property.
The incident comes weeks after a boat accident in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where several residents were feared dead.
A preliminary account from a resident said the Sokoto boat, which was reportedly carrying about 40 passengers, including men, women and children, capsized.
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