Troops of the Nigerian Navy have rescued 99 passengers from drowning following a boat accident on the Bukuma River in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Commodore Cajethan Aniaku, announced the development in a statement issued by the Base Public Relations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Bridget Bebia, on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
According to the statement, the wooden boat, named Blood of Jesus, was conveying passengers and goods from Port Harcourt to Akuku-Toru Local Government Area when it collided with a barge. The barge, Damen Buba, reportedly had a head-on collision with the market boat, resulting in significant structural damage to the vessel.
The incident occurred on April 29 at approximately 10:55 a.m. in the Tuma area, about 300 metres from Naval Security Station 035 in Degema.
Aniaku disclosed that upon receiving a distress call, the Navy promptly deployed four gunboats to the area to conduct a search-and-rescue operation.
He stated that troops arrived at the scene swiftly and, despite challenging conditions, successfully rescued all 99 passengers from the river. Remarkably, no fatalities or injuries were recorded during the rescue.
He commended the Navy personnel involved in the operation for their bravery and professionalism, attributing the successful rescue to their prompt response and expert handling of the emergency.
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