By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Yanagwa
BAYELSA: A fatal boat mishap in Bayelsa State has left two people dead and thirteen others missing after a passenger speedboat collided with a fishing boat at the Akede community waterfront in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
The accident, which occurred around 4:30 pm on Tuesday, involved a speedboat named Meeting Marine, operated by a man identified as Saturday, and a fishing boat carrying local fisherwomen. According to eyewitnesses, the speedboat, powered by a 115HP engine, was traveling from Anyama Ijaw to Lubia and Foropa communities when it struck the fishing boat, leading to the tragic deaths of a woman and a young girl onboard.
Confirming the incident, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, Comrade Ogoniba Ipigansi, said the union and local divers had mobilized for a rescue mission. “We have confirmed the deaths of two fisherwomen, while efforts are ongoing to locate the thirteen missing passengers from the speedboat. Thankfully, all the passengers had life jackets on, so we are hopeful of their survival,” he said.
He lamented that communication challenges in the area hampered immediate rescue efforts. “Network issues delayed alerts to relevant agencies, which affected the response time. However, we are on the ground working with the local divers,” he added.
A resident of Akede community, who witnessed the incident, said the impact of the collision caused the speedboat to capsize, throwing the passengers into the water. “The two women in the fishing boat were crushed, but we haven’t seen any of the speedboat passengers yet. Some divers are searching for them,” he said.
Bayelsa State Police spokesperson, DSP Musa Muhammad, stated that the incident had not yet been formally reported but assured that the police would investigate and provide updates.
Maritime accidents are a recurring issue in the riverine communities of Bayelsa, often attributed to high-speed navigation, poor visibility, and inadequate regulation of water transport. This latest incident has once again raised concerns over the safety of passengers and fisherfolk operating in the region’s waterways.