Tragedy struck on Tuesday as a boat mishap claimed the lives of at least 11 individuals, including five children, along the Andoni-Bonny coastal waters in Rivers State. The incident involved two passenger boats traveling on the specified route, with victims hailing from Ngo town, Ataba, and Isiama communities in Andoni Local Government Area.
Confirming the heartbreaking event, Gogo Obolo, the chairman of the ‘Obolo Youths Coalition,’ Bonny LGA chapter, revealed that the passengers were returning from Ngo town to Bonny Island when the accident occurred. As of the statement, none of the victims had been located, and Obolo called upon the local government chairmen of Andoni and Bonny to expedite efforts in recovering the bodies and offering support to the bereaved families.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State extended condolences and sympathy to the affected families and all victims of the boat mishap. In a statement, the governor pledged that his administration would persist in efforts to enhance safety for travelers on sea routes and riverine communities.
“I commiserate and condole with families of the victims of the boat accident that led to the loss of lives, and near-death experienced by our brothers and sisters that were involved in the boat mishap,” Governor Fubara stated. “It is indeed a very unfortunate and sad incident, and we pray that God shall give all of them the strength to bear the loss and speedy recovery to those who survived. As a government, we will continue to work to ensure that such threats against safe traveling on our sea routes are tackled.”
