Speedboat capsizes canoe in Rivers, 3 passengers die

Marine police rescue 3 in Badagry boat mishap

A canoe on Thursday sank after a speedboat passing through Kalo Ama River en route Okrika in Okrika Local Government Area in Rivers State, sped past it.

According to eyewitnesses, the canoe was carrying three passengers made-up of a man, woman and a 13-year old boy returning from a fishing expedition.

Divers battled all through Thursday to recover the corpses of occupants of a canoe that capsized and were only able to recover the corpse of a yet to be identified male passenger on Friday.

A boat driver, who gave his name as Sotonye Marcus, urged the government and maritime transportation regulatory agencies to sensitize speedboat owners to always apply caution and safety rules when riding on the river for the sake of smaller boats.

“We ask that the State Government should look into the matter and speak with companies around the river,” Marcus added.