Two Confirmed Dead, 13 Missing Following Boat Tragedy in Bayelsa

Two people have died, and 13 others are missing following a boat collision at Akede community in Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, April 1, 2025, when a speedboat carrying passengers from Eropa community in Southern Ijaw collided with a fishing boat.

It was reported that divers are currently searching the waters in hopes of rescuing any of the missing passengers.

According to the source, the speedboat, named Meeting Marine, was powered by a 115HP engine and operated by a man named Saturday. The boat was traveling from Anyama Ijaw towards Lubia and Foropa communities when it collided with the fishing boat at the Akede Community waterfront.

Comrade Ogoniba Ipigansi, Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, confirmed the accident and stated that 13 passengers are still missing.

He also mentioned that communication difficulties in the area have hindered the union’s rescue efforts, as the network was poor during the incident.