Kula Community Takes Action After Boat Mishap Claims 10 Lives

The Kula community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Rivers State, seized an oil vessel and two tugboats associated with a boat mishap that resulted in at least 10 fatalities. The incident occurred last Tuesday near the Robertkiri axis and followed a protest by community members regarding unpaid royalties and environmental issues.

Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, leader of the search and rescue team and president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, alleged that the incident was a deliberate act by the Ibeo Group, whose founder had threatened consequences for anyone disrupting their operations. Following the recovery of the last two bodies, police arrested two boat captains.

Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, represented by his Chief of Staff Sunny Ewule, assured the community that his administration would investigate the circumstances of the deaths and hold those responsible accountable. High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, representing the Kula community, emphasized their desire for peaceful resolution rather than taking the law into their own hands.