Corps Member, Five Others Die In Boat Mishap

At least six persons reportedly died last Saturday after a boat capsized in a community in Bayelsa State, Ezenwoko’s Blog learnt.

A National Youth Service Corps member was reportedly involved in the boat mishap which happened between Otuan and Ayama communities of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

The 15-passenger capacity boat reportedly rammed into a barrier while trying to berth close to the Ayama community last Saturday.

Reports revealed that there was an early morning rain storm in the community last Saturday. The development reportedly made all the passengers cover themselves with Tarpaulin, thereby reducing their visibility and eventually contributing to the incident.

A pregnant woman was among passengers who drowned in a boat mishap. A mother with her two kids and a 70 years old Otuan chief were also mentioned as victims in the accident.

Ezenwoko’s Blog learnt that the boat and the corpses of the victims are still missing at the time of this report.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Maritime Union in Otuan Community, Joseph Shedrack, told Channels TV that the boat driver, Lucky Christopher, who survived the accident, has been detained by the police unit in Ayama over alleged reckless driving.

The State Chairman of the Maritime Union, Ipigansi Ogoniba, however, said 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.