A tragic incident in Kula, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State has resulted in multiple fatalities after a boat capsized during a dispute over oil operations. Reports indicate that tensions escalated when community youths attempted to prevent the removal of the ANAMBRA BASIN vessel, leading to a confrontation with security personnel.

The incident unfolded at the Robert-Kiri area of Kula, where local residents expressed their frustration over the failure of an oil company to meet its obligations to the community. An elder and stakeholder, Anabs Sara-Igbe, revealed that more than six gunboats were deployed to facilitate the vessel's departure, despite ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict amicably.

Sara-Igbe stated that the ANAMBRA BASIN vessel, owned by Ibeto, has been operating in the region for approximately two years under a contract involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Belema Joint Venture. The community had raised concerns regarding the lack of local employment opportunities and unfulfilled obligations before the contract's conclusion.

The elder mentioned that while the community was in favor of the vessel's removal, they insisted that outstanding issues, including compensation, needed to be addressed first. He noted that discussions were planned for this week to resolve the matter, but the sudden deployment of security personnel disrupted these efforts.

In a tragic turn of events, Sara-Igbe reported that a boat carrying over ten individuals capsized after being struck by one of the gunboats. He estimated that the incident resulted in the deaths of at least ten people, including two local security personnel and eight community members. Efforts are currently underway to recover the bodies, with police and other authorities dispatched to investigate the circumstances surrounding the capsizing.

As of now, five bodies have been recovered from the water, and the community plans to take them to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt as part of a protest. Sara-Igbe emphasized the need for justice and accountability in light of the tragic incident.

In a call for calm, the Kula Youth Organization urged residents to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. President Odasema Hewart-Sukubo called on government and security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible for the incident are brought to justice.

Meanwhile, Max Shipping Services Limited, the owner of the ANAMBRA BASIN vessel, has stated that it hired the vessel to Menal Technical Services Limited, which allegedly failed to pay hire fees for an extended period. The company clarified that it had removed the crude oil stored in the vessel prior to the retrieval operation and emphasized that the responsibility for vessel operations and community relations fell to Menal Technical Services.

Max Shipping expressed its sorrow over the incident and called for a comprehensive security investigation while urging all parties involved to maintain calm as the situation unfolds.