It was sheer Providence that saved a speedboat operator and his assistant from death when the boat capsized while they were travelling from Akwa Ibom State to Cameroon, as they were rescued by men of the state police command.
The incident occurred on Thursday, September 17, along the Ibaka waterways in Mbo Local Government Area of the state around 1:30 p.m.
It was gathered that the W23 speedboat with the inscription “Let’s Pray,” powered by a Yamaha outboard engine and conveying goods was travelling from Oron towards Cameroon when the incident occurred
Preliminary information indicated that while travelling on the waterways, the boat operator, known simply as Mr. Daniel, attempted to adjust its seacock to allow accumulated water onboard to drain.
However, in the process of doing this, waves generated by a passing speedboat destabilised his own boat, causing it to take in too much water and to eventually sink.
The timely arrival of men of the Marine Police Operational and Surveillance Patrol Team which was patrolling the waterways at the time of the incident saved the boat operator and his assistant from untimely death.
The two of them were eventually rushed to the hospital for medical attention
“The security situation along the waterways remains calm, while further necessary action regarding the incident is ongoing,” the command said in a statement on Friday, September 18.
