Kula Boat Mishap: 10 Feared Dead as YEAC-Nigeria Demands Probe into Military Deployment
At least 10 youths are feared dead following a boat mishap during a confrontation involving members of Kula Kingdom and armed military personnel in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, amid a protest by community youths and leaders over an alleged unresolved oil spill, unpaid debts to local vendors and contractors, and perceived neglect by the operators of an offshore crude oil vessel linked to the Ibeto Group.
According to community sources, the protesters had barricaded the vessel, Anambra Basin, operating at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 55, to press their demands over the alleged environmental pollution of the Kula River and outstanding payments reportedly owed to local businesses for about 18 months.
Tension allegedly escalated following the arrival of armed military personnel in gunboats to clear the blockade and facilitate the movement of the vessel. The confrontation reportedly resulted in resistance from community members and the eventual capsizing of a community boat, with at least 10 persons feared dead.
Confirming the report, Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Agabe Blessing said the police is aware of the incident, and that the command has commenced investigations to ascertain the exact number of casualties and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Reacting to the tragedy, the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre, (YEAC-Nigeria) expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The organisation through its Executive Director, Fyneface Dumnamene, acknowledged the right of host communities to stage peaceful protests against environmental pollution and demand corporate accountability, but condemned the militarisation of civil disputes involving oil and gas operations where such actions result in loss of lives.
YEAC-Nigeria however called on the Rivers State Police Command and the Nigerian Navy to conduct a joint and transparent investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the boat mishap, including the circumstances surrounding the deployment of military personnel to Kula.
It also urged the Rivers State Government, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, and the company concerned to intensify search, rescue and recovery operations while providing emergency assistance to affected families.
The advocacy group further appealed to the management of Ibeto Group and relevant security agencies to embrace dialogue rather than force in addressing the grievances of the host community. YEAC-Nigeria extended its condolences to the families of those feared dead and called for urgent action to establish the facts surrounding the incident and address the grievances that triggered the protest.
