The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed that twenty-three lives were saved in last Saturday’s boat accident in Bakana in Degema Local Government Area.
This Police also dismissed earlier reports which stated that about 9 persons perished in the boat mishap.
The boat which was travelling to Bakana from Abonnema Warf was ferrying passengers going for a burial when it ran into troubles at sea, a situation that officials blamed on overloading by the boat driver.
The Police Public Relations Officer, NNAMDI OMONI in an interview with theportcitynews correspondent, said only one life was lost in the accident.
He said the police is still investigating and warned against those saying nine persons are still missing.
NNAMDI OMONI faulted reports which stated that about eight persons are still missing in the mishap.
The police PRO also warned boat drivers not to engage in excessive intake of Alcohol and any other related substance to avert such re-occurrence.
He said most of the drivers take some of these local Gin, for example, Kai Kai and ply the route saying it clears their eyes.
Meanwhile, Some boat operators at the Bakana jetty in Abonnema Wharf also said only one person died in the accident. They said people do not drown in water for a long time, it takes three days for them to resurface.
They also said local fishermen and boat drivers were still on the lookout in case if anybody resurfaces but however doubted if there is because no one has come to search for his or her family member or members.
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