Police Rescue Two After Speedboat Sinks on Akwa Ibom Waterway
Reported By Facthabournews
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has 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.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom State, DSP Timfon John, preliminary findings indicated that the boat driver, identified as Daniel, was attempting to adjust the vessel’s seacock in an effort to drain water that had accumulated inside the boat.
John said waves generated by another passing boat reportedly destabilised the vessel, causing more water to enter before the speedboat eventually sank.
The driver and his conductor, identified as Kani, were rescued by personnel of the Marine Police Operational and Surveillance Patrol Team, who were conducting patrol operations in the area when the incident occurred.
The prompt intervention of the Marine Police prevented what could have resulted in loss of lives, with the two occupants successfully brought to safety.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the Marine Police personnel for their swift response and intervention.
Azare urged boat operators and passengers across the state to make safety a priority when travelling on the waterways. He specifically advised operators to ensure that their vessels are seaworthy and properly maintained before embarking on journeys.
The Commissioner also warned against overloading boats with passengers or goods, noting the potential dangers associated with operating vessels beyond their safe capacity.
He further advised boat operators and other users of the waterways to ensure that life jackets are available and used by everyone onboard.
The police command also urged maritime users to exercise additional caution when navigating areas with heavy marine traffic, particularly because waves generated by passing vessels can destabilise smaller boats.
The incident highlights the risks faced by people who rely on waterways for transportation and commercial activities, particularly along the coastal routes linking communities in Akwa Ibom with neighbouring states and countries.
The Oron and Ibaka waterways are important routes for the movement of people and goods, making safety and effective surveillance critical to protecting lives and property.
The Akwa Ibom Police Command said it would continue to strengthen patrols and surveillance along the state’s waterways in collaboration with other security agencies.
The command said the measures were aimed at safeguarding residents, passengers, boat operators and other maritime users while also maintaining security along the waterways.
No death was reported in the incident, as the two occupants were rescued by the Marine Police patrol team.
The police have continued to advise operators to take preventive safety measures rather than wait until emergencies occur. Ensuring vessels are seaworthy, avoiding overloading and providing life jackets remain among the key precautions highlighted by the command.
The rescue also demonstrates the importance of regular marine patrols, particularly in areas where commercial boats frequently operate and where changing water conditions can create sudden risks.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the circumstances surrounding water transportation in the state and work with operators and relevant stakeholders to promote compliance with safety requirements.
For now, the two occupants have been safely rescued, while the police have used the incident to renew their appeal to boat operators and passengers to observe established maritime safety precautions.
The command’s warning comes as part of broader efforts to reduce preventable accidents and protect lives along Akwa Ibom’s waterways.
