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Police rescue two as speedboat sinks in Akwa Ibom
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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command rescued two people after a speedboat sank along the Ibaka waterways in Mbo Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2026 when a blue W23 speedboat marked “LET’S PRAY” sank while travelling from Oron to Cameroon with goods onboard.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Uyo.
According to the PPRO, preliminary investigations showed that the boat driver, identified as Mr Daniel, was attempting to adjust the vessel’s seacock to drain accumulated water when the incident occurred.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully rescued two persons following a boat mishap along the Ibaka waterways in Mbo Local Government Area of the State,” the statement read.“The incident occurred on Thursday, 17th September, 2026, at about 1:30 p.m., when a blue W23 speedboat with the inscription “LET’S PRAY,” powered by a Yamaha outboard engine and conveying goods, was travelling from Oron towards Cameroon.“Preliminary information indicates that while navigating the Ibaka waterways, the boat driver, Mr. Daniel, attempted to adjust the boat’s seacock to allow accumulated water onboard to drain.“During the process, waves generated by a passing boat reportedly destabilised the vessel, causing it to take in water and eventually sink.“The driver and his conductor, Mr. Kani, were immediately rescued through the swift intervention of the Marine Police Operational and Surveillance Patrol Team, which was patrolling the waterways at the time of the incident.“The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, mnipr, has commended the Marine Police personnel for their vigilance, professionalism and prompt response, which prevented the incident from resulting in loss of life.“The CP further urged boat operators and passengers using the State’s waterways to prioritise safety at all times, ensure that vessels are seaworthy, avoid overloading, provide adequate life jackets for everyone onboard, and exercise extreme caution while navigating areas with heavy marine traffic.“The Command reassures residents, travellers and maritime operators that the Police will continue to strengthen patrols and surveillance along the waterways in collaboration with other relevant security agencies to safeguard lives and property.“The security situation along the waterways remains calm, while further necessary action is ongoing.
