Boat mishap: Police officer missing as Navy rescues Bayelsa commissioner, 6 others

The Nigerian Navy said a police officer is still missing as its operatives rescued a commissioner, Mrs Ebiere Jones, and six others following a boat mishap in Abedigbene waters, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.

Jones is Bayelsa Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment.

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, deployed at Labrador Lagosgbene Houseboat, carried out the rescue operation with local divers and members of the Abedigbene fishing community.

This is contained in a statement by the Base Information Officer, SLT Joshua Dauda, made available to newsmen on Friday in Yenagoa.

Dauda noted, however, that one passenger, identified as a police officer, remained missing as search and rescue operations continued.

According to him, the operation followed a distress report from a local fisherman about a passenger boat travelling from Yenagoa to Akassa on Thursday.

“Upon receiving the information, personnel of FOB FORMOSO swiftly mobilised to the incident location and immediately commenced search and rescue operations,” he said.

Dauda said the operation involved local divers and members of the host community, adding that seven of the eight persons reportedly on board were rescued.

The survivors included Jones, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and five other passengers.

He said the rescued passengers were given first aid upon arrival at the houseboat, adding that preliminary assessments showed no visible injuries.

The commissioner and the six other survivors were subsequently conveyed to Yenagoa on Friday to reunite with their families.

The Commanding Officer of FOB FORMOSO, Capt. Sunday Haruna, commended the personnel for their prompt response, dedication and professionalism during the operation.

Haruna also acknowledged the support of local divers and members of the Abedigbene Fishing Community, saying the operation demonstrated the importance of collaboration between security agencies and host communities in emergency response.

He said the successful rescue underscored the navy’s operational readiness and commitment to protecting lives and ensuring safety within its maritime area of responsibility.

The base, he added, would sustain its efforts to promote maritime safety and strengthen cooperation with host communities. (NAN)