Residents of Kula community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State have seized an oil vessel and two tugboats linked to a boat accident that claimed 10 lives following a confrontation over an oil spill and the movement of a vessel in the area.
The two tugboats, identified as Delta Runner and Lorra Five, were seized as investigations into the incident at the Robertkiri axis of the coastal community continue. Their captains were also reportedly arrested by the police.
The incident occurred last Tuesday after community members reportedly protested alleged unpaid royalties, outstanding payments to vendors and environmental pollution associated with oil operations at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 55.
Reports indicate that the protest involved attempts to prevent the movement of the vessel MT Anambra Basin, operated by the Ibeto Group, from the Oceania community.
Ten people reportedly died after their boat capsized during the confrontation.
Following the recovery of the last two bodies, the leader of the search and rescue team and President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, alleged that the incident was not accidental but a deliberate act involving the Ibeto Group.
Sukubo claimed that the group’s founder had previously threatened to deal with anyone who attempted to disrupt activities on the waterways or prevent the vessel from being moved.
However, Max Shipping Services Limited, the owner of the oil vessel, has denied any involvement by its chairman, Chief Cletus Ibeto, in the incident.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised that his administration will investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and ensure that anyone found culpable faces the law.
The governor gave the assurance on Thursday at Government House in Port Harcourt while addressing members of the Kula community who staged a peaceful protest to demand government intervention.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Sunny Ewule, Fubara sympathised with the bereaved families and appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
He said the state government would pursue the matter until the circumstances surrounding the deaths were established.
The governor added that anyone found responsible for the incident would be held accountable in accordance with the law.
Earlier, the leader of the Kula community delegation, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, said the residents visited the Government House to formally report the incident and seek the government’s intervention.
He explained that the community wanted the authorities to address the matter through lawful channels despite the anger and grief among residents.
The Rivers State Police Command has also confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The command’s spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Blessing Agabe, said the police were aware of the incident in Kula Kingdom and were working to establish the exact number of casualties and the events that led to the boat capsizing.
The investigation is expected to clarify the circumstances of the confrontation, the alleged involvement of those linked to the oil vessel and the events that resulted in the loss of lives.