Two persons have been rescued after a speedboat sank along the Ibaka waterways in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The incident occurred when the blue W23 speedboat, was travelling from Oron to Cameroon with goods onboard. The boat driver, identified as Daniel, was reportedly trying to drain water from the vessel when waves from a passing boat caused it to become unstable and take in more water.

The driver and his conductor, identified as Kani, were rescued by the Marine Police Operational and Surveillance Patrol Team, which was on patrol in the area.

The Police Command has urged boat operators and passengers to prioritise safety by using life jackets, avoiding overloading and ensuring their vessels are seaworthy.

The rescued victims were said to be in stable condition after receiving first aid from the Marine Police team, before being taken to a nearby health facility for further medical checks.

Police sources said the goods on board the speedboat, which were being transported to Cameroon, were lost to the incident as the vessel sank completely into the waterway.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, which confirmed the incident, said preliminary investigation shows that the boat was battling water intake before the waves from another passing vessel worsened the situation.

The Commissioner of Police in the state has directed the Marine Police Division to intensify patrols along the Ibaka, Oron and other coastal waterways to prevent a recurrence.

The Command also warned against night travels and overloading of speedboats, which it said remain major causes of boat mishaps on the waterways in the state.

Stakeholders in the maritime sector have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations for local boat operators who ply the Nigeria-Cameroon route daily.

Residents of Mbo and Oron Local Government Areas described the Ibaka waterway as busy and risky, especially during the rainy season when water currents are high.

They appealed to both the state government and the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, to provide more safety facilities and enlightenment for boat operators in the area.

Meanwhile, the Police Command assured that search efforts are ongoing to recover the sunken boat and the goods that were on board. It also urged members of the public to always report unsafe practices by boat operators to the Marine Police for prompt action.