Five bodies have been recovered following a deadly boat incident along the Robertkiri waterways in Kula community, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, as search and rescue operations continue.
The bodies were recovered on Thursday after renewed efforts involving local security personnel, community leaders and other stakeholders. About 10 people were feared dead after a tugboat and a speedboat carrying more than 15 people reportedly collided on Tuesday evening.
Community leader and pioneer spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, confirmed the recovery, saying efforts were still underway to locate other missing passengers.
Sara-Igbe disclosed that the recovered bodies would be taken to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt before being moved to the state police headquarters to formally register the community’s grievances.
The tragedy has sparked grief and anger among residents, particularly families who lost loved ones in the incident.
In an emotional scene at the Government House, a woman was seen crying as she recounted losing two of her uncles in the incident.
The boat mishap reportedly occurred amid tensions surrounding the planned removal of an oil vessel operated by a company linked to the Ibeto Group. Members of the Kula community had raised concerns over alleged water pollution, unpaid obligations to local vendors and outstanding royalties to host communities.
However, the precise circumstances surrounding the incident and responsibility for the tragedy remain under investigation.
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the incident, stating that investigations are ongoing to establish the exact number of casualties and determine what led to the tragedy.
As families await answers, rescue teams continue their search for the missing victims.
