The key facts
- At least 10 dead and 7 missing after a boat capsized in Rivers State, Nigeria
- The incident is linked to a protest against the relocation of an oil vessel and a dispute over an oil spill at OML 55
- Rivers State police confirmed awareness and launched an investigation
Boat capsizing leaves at least ten dead
At least 10 people died and another seven are missing after a boat capsized during a confrontation between community residents and people in military uniform linked to an oil spill in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta. Community leaders reported this to the Anadolu agency on Thursday.
Location and circumstances of the incident
According to the agency's sources, the incident occurred on the waterways of Robertkiri in the Kula Kingdom, in the Akuku-Toru local government area of Rivers State. Residents were at the time protesting against the relocation of an oil vessel amid unresolved disputes over an alleged oil spill and other grievances related to operations at the OML 55 oil lease.
Rescued and missing persons
The leader of the affected community, Johna Joshua, said that 'eight people were rescued alive, while seven remain missing as search and rescue operations continue.' Among the missing are Davis Opiri, secretary of the Kula community development committee, and two members of a group known as the 'Amama Soldiers.'
Community's account of the military's role
Community leaders claim that the military arrived on boats to assist with the removal of the oil vessel, which, they say, escalated tensions with youths demanding action on environmental issues.
Police response
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, confirmed that the command was aware of the incident and said an investigation is underway to determine the number of victims and the circumstances of the boat capsizing.
Regional context
Rivers State is located in the Niger Delta, a key oil-producing region where disputes over pollution, compensation, resource control, and the activities of oil companies have repeatedly led to heightened tensions.
