…Police begins investigations
A total of nine corpses out of the eleven victims of the boat mishap that occurred along the Andoni- Bonny River in Rivers State on Monday, have been reportedly recovered.
The recovery was announced during a condolence visit to the families of the survivors by the chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Anengi Claude-Wilcox.
Eyewitnesses said that 14 of the victims were rescued from the sea during the incident by local fishermen.
The incident occurred as the victims were returning from Ngo in Andoni LGA to Bonny where they spent the Yuletide season.
Represented by her Vice, Omoni Longjohn, the Bonny LGA Chairman commiserated with the families of the deceased at Amariaria Fishing Settlement and Agiokolo 2 Community, both in Finima Community, Bonny LGA.
She noted that although the victims were natives of different communities in Andoni LGA they were residents of Bonny LGA and as such share affinity with the people of Bonny, condoling with her Andoni LGA counterpart, Dr Erastus Awortu for the unfortunate loss of his kinsmen and women.
She commended the leadership and people of the Amariari Fishing Settlement for all their efforts in supporting the families of the victims, while comforting the bereaved families and injured victims.
The Bonny council boss prayed that such unfortunate incident will never repeat again and that the souls of the departed finds rest with the Lord.
In his remarks, Head of Amariari Fishing Settlement, Sunny Papa Brown thanked the chairman for visiting, saying it was a clear indication of her compassion for the people, condoling with the bereaved families and praying that the souls of the departed rest in peace.
The nine corpses were later prepared and conveyed to where they were to be interred after being inspected by the Vice Chairman, Omoni Longjohn and his entourage at the shores of Amariari in Finima Community.
Similarly, the member representing Bonny Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo has sent his heartfelt condolences to the people of Andoni LGA, particularly, families of the victims of the boat mishap.
Jumbo, in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen sent words of comfort to the Andoni people, specifically to the people at Amariari Fishing Settlement in Bonny LGA.
According to him, the victims’ families have been thrown into mourning at the beginning of the year when they should be celebrating the successful crossover into the new year.
“I condole with the people of Andoni at large, especially those at Amariari Fishing Settlement in Bonny for this tragedy that struck in the new year when we are supposed to be celebrating.”
He, however, gave thanks to God as Christians are instructed to in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 in every situation and prayed for the successful repose of their souls as well as consolation for the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police command says it has commenced investigations into the devastating incident; where a wooden boat capsized, leading to the death of eleven persons.
Confirming the incident to newsmen, the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko explained that “on 09/01/2024 at about 0915hrs, information received that a local wooden boat powered by a single 25HP Yamaha engine carrying passengers from Ukwa Community in Ngo town in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, enroute Bonny Island, sank while approaching Amariaria community in Finima town.
“On 08/01/2024 at 2000hrs , on the strength of the information, the O/C Marine SP Ogarachi Chima, moved to the scene of the incident of the boat mishap and discovered eleven (11) passengers feared drowned. Investigation is in progress.”
