A tragic incident occurred in Bayelsa State on Wednesday, August 7, when a wooden cargo boat named ‘Godbless Dickson’ exploded and sank, leaving 20 people confirmed dead. The boat, carrying over 64 passengers and crew, was traveling from a rural area to the Swali market in Yenagoa when it met with disaster near the Ezetu 1 community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

According to ASP Musa Mohammed, the spokesperson for the state police, rescue operations are still ongoing, with the Marine Police unit leading the efforts. Despite these efforts, many passengers are still unaccounted for, and the exact number of casualties remains uncertain.

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria’s Bayelsa Chapter has dispatched a rescue team to assist, but the situation is dire. A speedboat operator, Augustine Amayoro, who participated in the rescue mission, managed to save 10 people, but others remain stranded in a nearby fishing camp.

It’s worth noting that these wooden cargo boats are typically exempt from the state’s ban on night navigation, allowing them to travel slowly ahead of the weekly market days. Unfortunately, this incident highlights the dangers that can occur even under these exemptions.