Nembe—More bodies, including that of a toddler, have been recovered following the search and rescue operation carried out at the scene of Thursday’s boat mishap that happened along Okoroma waterways in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Giving an update on the efforts so far, the President of Okpoama Kingdom Youth Movement, Engr. Seiyefa Felix Ben-Basuo stated that two more corpses identified as a boat worker and a trader identified as Ayebatorudigio all from Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area of the state have been found.
Meanwhile, the Brass-Nembe House of Representatives Member-elect, Mrs. Marie Ebikake has commiserated with the families of the victims.
Ebikake who spoke at the site on Saturday expressed that the news came as a rude shock to her, noting that she had to forgo her foster daughter’s marriage to visit the scene of the incident.
While sympathizing with families who lost loved ones and properties, she called on the Marine Police to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently to forestall a recurrence of such incidents.
She revealed that she has concluded arrangements with professional divers to recover more bodies and lost items.
Earlier, Governor Douye Diri expressed sadness over the fatal boat mishap.
In a statement by his spokesman, Daniel Alabrah, the governor directed the relevant government agencies, including security agencies, to collaborate in the search-and-rescue efforts and ensure the recovery of all missing persons.
He sympathised with injured victims and the families that lost persons in the sad incident and prayed that God will succour them over the unfortunate mishap.
Diri added that the government would review the cause of such incidents in order to take steps to ensure the safety of lives and goods on the state’s waterways.
Efforts are currently ongoing to recover more bodies from the capsized boat while filing this report.
