Boat Capsizes In Akwa Ibom Leaving At Least Ten People Dead

An outboard engine boat capsized off the coast of Mbo local government area in Akwa Ibom State, reportedly killing at least 10 people.

According to information obtained, five of the ten victims were from the same family in the State's Udung Uko local government region.

Only two of them survived the catastrophe as they were returning from the fishing village of Ine Ataobong in the Bakassi Peninsula when they sailed into a strong storm that swamped their boat.

Mrs. Eno Effai, a relative of one of the survivors and a seller of seafood, called the situation terrible because, in her opinion, there was no life jacket in the boat.

She said: “It is really so sad. The sea has been so rough this period. Many people have lost their lives in the sea while travelling to Mbo or Oron. And this particular one is really sad in the sense that a family of five including the mother and school children were involved in the mishap. “

In the meantime, a group called Mbo Concerned Citizens has pushed for the creation of a Coast Guard to help the government combat the deeds of sea pirates in the waterways.

Their take is outlined in a brief statement provided to Newsmen in Uyo, the State capital, and signed by their Coordinator, Ulo Amba.

” It is becoming very necessary for the government either federal or state to establish a Coast Guard with the mandate to checkmate the unholy activities of sea robbers.

“Our people especially the fishermen have suffered immensely in the hands of these pirates. No day passes by without any incident on the waterways which is affecting the livelihood of our people which is fishing.

“Also, the outfit will be of great help to sea travellers as it is being done in the developed countries. Nothing stops us from starting it here as well which will give opportunity to young and energetic people to be gainfully employed. So, we are appealing to the government to give this a thought. Many of our people have died during this period because of lack of help when they have boat mishaps.”