The Marine component of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is currently leading efforts at rescuing four persons who are feared dead after a speedboat capsized along Asarama-Toru in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Asarama-Toru is the sea that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Andoni hinterland. One of the major landmarks along its shores is the Oyorokoto Fishing Settlement, which is regarded as the biggest fishing settlement in West Africa.

Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, told Kristina Reports that the incidented speedboat had 20 passengers when the incident occurred.

She further informed that rescue efforts involving the Marine Police, and officials of the Bonny Marine Transport Association (BMTA), among others, had, so far, seen 16 persons rescued, while efforts were still ongoing to find the remaining four persons.

Reliable sources have earlier informed Kristina Reports that the incident occurred on Saturday, February 3, 2024.  

When contacted, the Chairman of the Bonny Marine Transport Association (BMTA), Senibo Jumbo told Kristina Reports that he will make a statement when the rescue efforts have ended, saying he needs to have full details of the incident before the Association can make a statement.  

Kristina Reports reliably learnt that the speedboat departed from the Igonipulo waterfront in Bonny after it was chartered to convey some passengers who were enroute Ngo in Andoni LGA to attend a church programme there.