Two people have died in two separate accidents on the waterways of Bayelsa State in southern Nigeria, the state police command has confirmed. The incidents happened in Brass and Sagbama local government areas, and were announced in a statement issued on Saturday night by the police public relations officer, DSP Musa Mohammed.

The first accident happened on Thursday along the Abedigbene waterways in Brass Local Government Area. A passenger boat travelling from Yenagoa to Akassa, carrying eight people, capsized. Maritime Union workers in Brass reported the incident, and a search and rescue operation was launched by personnel of the Nigerian Navy's Forward Operating Base FORMOSO, working with local divers and members of the Abedigbene fishing community.

Seven passengers were rescued, including the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Ebiere Jones, and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. A serving police officer who was on board was initially reported missing. He was subsequently confirmed dead, the police said. The police did not name the officer in the statement.

The second accident happened at about 5:20am on Saturday, 7 November, along the shoreline of Angalabiri community in Sagbama Local Government Area. A tanker vessel belonging to Sterling Global Oil Ltd was navigating close to the shoreline when it reportedly struck several canoes, destroying some of them.

One of the people in the canoes, Victoria Abetnigo, an indigene of Angalabiri community, sustained serious injuries. She was taken to hospital for treatment but was later pronounced dead by the doctor on duty. Her remains have been deposited at the mortuary in Ofoni, and the police said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Ajao Saka Adewale, expressed sadness over both tragedies and extended condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the two people who died. He commended the Nigerian Navy, local divers, Maritime Union workers and members of the Abedigbene fishing community for their prompt intervention during the rescue operation.

Adewale also used the moment to urge boat operators and commercial vessel owners to exercise caution and comply strictly with maritime safety regulations. He called on vessel operators to maintain safe distances from shorelines and established canoe routes and to avoid reckless navigation, and he advised passengers to wear life jackets throughout their journeys.

He urged all waterway users to prioritise safety and to report emergencies promptly to the appropriate authorities. The police command said it remained committed to protecting lives and property across the state, as investigations into the second accident continued.