Boat Accident in Rivers: Five Bodies Found, Search Continues

No fewer than five bodies have been found after a boat accident along the Robertkiri waterways in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Tuesday.

The bodies were recovered during renewed search and rescue efforts by a local security group, community chiefs, and other stakeholders working together from Wednesday into Thursday.

About 10 people were feared dead when a tugboat collided with a speedboat that had over 15 people from the community on board Tuesday evening.

The bodies were found on Thursday afternoon as fresh rescue efforts continued.

High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a community leader and former spokesman for the Pan Niger Delta Forum, confirmed the recovery of the corpses to our reporter on Thursday evening.

Sara-Igbe said the victims' remains would be taken to the Rivers State Government House on Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt, so the governor can be informed about what happened.

He added that after that, the bodies would be moved to the State Police Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, to register the grievances of the Kula people.

"Five of the recovered corpses from the Robertkiri OML 25 incident will be taken to Rivers State Government House between 3.45 pm and 5 pm today and afterwards to the headquarters of Rivers State Police Command, Port Harcourt," Sara-Igbe stated.

In a video shared with our reporter, a woman was seen crying heavily at the Rivers State Government House, saying she lost two uncles in the accident.

"I was with two of them just this past Saturday. Now they are no more. See what oil is causing for us," she sobbed uncontrollably.

Our reporter tried to reach Blessing Agabe, the spokesperson for the state police command, for an update. But she did not answer several calls.

As of Thursday evening, she had not replied to a message sent to her mobile phone.

Sources said rescue efforts were still ongoing to find the remaining bodies.