The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued two people after a speedboat sank along the Ibaka waterways in Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Thursday when a blue W23 speedboat marked “LET’S PRAY” sank while travelling from Oron to Cameroon with goods onboard.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Uyo.

According to him, preliminary investigations showed that the boat driver, identified as Daniel, was attempting to adjust the vessel’s seacock to drain accumulated water when the incident occurred.

He said waves generated by another passing boat reportedly destabilised the vessel, causing more water to enter before it eventually sank.

John said 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 at the time.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the Marine Police personnel for their prompt response, saying their intervention helped prevent possible loss of life.

Azare urged boat operators and passengers to prioritise safety by ensuring vessels are seaworthy, avoiding overloading and providing life jackets for everyone onboard.

He also advised users of the waterways to exercise caution, particularly when navigating areas with heavy marine traffic.

The command said it would continue to strengthen patrols and surveillance across the state’s waterways in collaboration with other security agencies to protect lives and property.