Tragedy struck in Bayelsa State on Friday, after a boat conveying church members to a religious programme capsized along the Odioma–Brass River in Brass Local Government Area, leaving a pastor and his wife dead.
The victims were said to be among several worshippers travelling to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, for a church programme when the accident occurred, amid heavy rainfall and difficult weather conditions.
Key Highlights:
- A boat carrying church members along the Odioma–Brass River in Bayelsa State capsized, killing a pastor and his wife.
- The victims were reportedly traveling to Yenagoa for a church programme when the accident occurred during heavy rainfall.
- Several passengers were thrown into the river, with some rescued while others remain missing.
- Police marine units and local divers have launched ongoing search and rescue operations, according to the Bayelsa State Police Command.
- The tragedy has raised renewed concern over frequent boat accidents in riverine communities during poor weather conditions.
According to reports, the boat overturned mid-journey, throwing passengers into the river.
While some occupants were rescued alive, the pastor and his wife were among those who did not survive the incident.
Local residents and emergency responders later recovered the body of the pastor’s wife, which has been deposited in a mortuary, while search efforts continued for the pastor and other passengers still feared missing at the time of reporting.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Bayelsa State Police Command, DSP Musa Mohammed, said the exact number of casualties had not yet been established as rescue operations were still ongoing.
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He noted that police officers of the Marine Unit had joined local divers and community rescuers in the ongoing search and recovery mission.
“The number of casualties cannot be confirmed for now because rescue efforts are still ongoing,” he stated.
Also speaking on the tragedy, the Youth President of Odioma Community, Moses Inene, confirmed that both the pastor and his wife were involved in the ill-fated journey, adding that local divers had been mobilised to intensify rescue operations.
The incident has thrown the coastal community into mourning, with residents expressing concern over repeated boat mishaps in riverine areas, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and poor visibility.
