The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the death of two fisherwomen as their boat collided in one of the waterways in the state.
Police spokesman in the state, DSP Musa Muhammad, who confirmed the incident, said the driver of one of the boats is in police custody for questioning.
Meanwhile, 13 passengers aboard the ill-fated boats are still missing.
It was gathered that the boat plying the Anyama-Ijaw Lobia-Foropa route in Southern Ijaw collided with a fishing boat along the waterway.
The accident occurred on Tuesday evening, where two fisherwomen onboard the fishing boat were confirmed dead because the speedboat collided with their boat.
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The passengers onboard the speedboat are yet to be found.
According to an eyewitness, divers are already at the scene of the accident to see if any of the missing passengers can be rescued.
The eyewitness said a speedboat named ‘Meeting Marine’, powered by a 115 horse power engine was traveling from Anyama Ijaw towards Lobia and Foropa communities when it collided with a fishing boat at the Akede community waterfront.
Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria in Bayelsa State, Mr. Ogoniba Ipigansi, also confirmed the incident, saying the union and divers are already on their way to Akede community waterfront for a rescue mission.
He confirmed the death of two fisherwomen onboard the wooden fishing boat, saying 13 passengers onboard the speedboat are yet to be seen.
Ipigansi said all the passengers onboard the speedboat wore life jackets, expressing hope that they may be rescued.
