Bayelsa boat accident: Four policemen, oil workers feared killed

Four policemen and an official of an oil surveillance firm have been feared killed in a boat accident in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

It was learnt that an unidentified gunboat allegedly crushed the four cops on patrol duty and an official of Darlon Security Surveillance Services to death.

Among the deceased is said to be Odi Lyon, a younger brother of the former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon, in the November 2019 guber election.

Odi Lyon was said to be the Operations Manager of the oil surveillance firm in Southern Ijaw community of Olugbobiri.

It was learnt the unfortunate incident took place between Okumugbene and Odewari river close to Korokorosei junction.

A source said that the boat was heading towards Korokorosei when the accident occurred.

It was also learnt that another aide to Lyon, identified simply as as Ogbojimo, was lucky to have survived the unfortunate incident.

One of the corpses of the killed policemen was said to have recovered while the three riot policemen were still declared missing.

It was learnt that the recovered policeman reportedly swam to the shore but died sadly before he could get to the clinic at Olugbobiri.

Sources said the incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday.

They claimed that the boat conveying the four mobile policemen, the younger brother of David Lyon, a Governor’s aide with a 200- horsepower engine was said to have stopped for a yet-to-be ascertained reason when the gunboat allegedly rammed into them.

It could not be ascertained if the gunboat mistook the occupants of the boat for pirates that had been disturbing the area in recent times.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr Asinim Butswat, confirmed the boat accident but said one policeman died while three others were still missing.

Butswat said: “On 25 July, 2022, at about 2000 hours, a boat conveying policemen on surveillance capsized at Korokorosei waterways, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“One policeman’s body was recovered while three are missing. The command is yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident. Divers have been deployed to the area for possible rescue of the missing persons,” he said. (The Nation)