The President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, has called for an investigation into the reported deaths of 10 persons at Robertkiri along the Kula waterways in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Sukubo made the call following the incident reportedly recorded on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, while announcing plans for a 21-day protest involving 51,000 youths to demand justice for the victims and their families.
In a statement, he alleged that the incident occurred amid unresolved disagreements between host communities and the Ibeto Group over the movement of its crude oil vessel, Anambra Basin, out of the area. He also named two tugboats, Delta Runner and Laura-V, as allegedly involved.
According to Sukubo, the deceased were members of satellite communities and fishing settlements in Kula who had raised concerns about pollution of waterways, fishing ports and creeks, compliance with host community provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, and outstanding payments to local vendors.
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He also urged the Federal Government, relevant ministries and human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, to intervene. Sukubo further appealed to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to establish an investigative panel to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Sukubo said the planned protest, expected to begin the following week, would involve a march to the Port Harcourt residence of Ibeto Group founder and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Cletus Ibeto, as well as demonstrations at the group’s businesses in Rivers State.
He said the action was intended to demand justice for the victims and draw attention to the grievances of the affected communities.
However, subsequent reports indicate that seven people died in the incident, with the bodies of the final two missing victims recovered on Saturday, October 24. The Rivers State Police Command had earlier said investigations were ongoing to establish the exact number of casualties and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The allegations concerning the vessel’s removal, environmental pollution and outstanding payments remain issues raised by community representatives, while the circumstances surrounding the incident are subject to investigation.
