The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed loss of life following a boat capsize during a confrontation between youths and men in military uniform over an oil spill in Kula community, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday evening when community members attempted to stop a contractor from continuing operations until the affected environment was remediated and compensation for the spill was addressed.
The dispute allegedly escalated when men in uniform arrived in gunboats and attempted to move a businessman’s vessel being used for contract work in the area.
Youths reportedly challenged the move, demanding answers over the pollution and compensation. During the confrontation, one of the gunboats allegedly struck a boat carrying the youths, causing it to capsize.
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Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a community leader and pioneer spokeswoman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, confirmed the incident and said about 10 people were feared dead.
Sara-Igbe alleged that the arrival of the uniformed personnel worsened the situation and called on security authorities to investigate the tragedy.
In an update on Wednesday, he said the community planned to take the victims’ bodies to Government House in Port Harcourt, as well as the police and Army headquarters, to draw attention to the incident.
When contacted, the spokesman for the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, Lt. Col. Umar, said he was unaware of the incident but promised to make inquiries.
However, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident, saying investigations were ongoing to establish the exact number of casualties and the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The alleged involvement of the uniformed personnel and the precise sequence of events had yet to be independently established.
