Bayelsa capsized boat: 18 bodies recovered, say police

 A total of 18 persons have been confirmed dead in the boat accident that occurred between Ezetu 1 and Ukubie communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Wednesday.

The names which were sourced from the boat manifest were made up of people from Imo, Enugu, Abia, Delta and one victim from Bayelsa State.

The police said after a thorough search, 18 corpses were recovered and had been deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.

According to the brief statement by the police, the Bayelsa State Government paid for all the expenses.

Their names were given as Osita Nlebedum (Ezeagu South LGA, Enugu State), Ikechukwu Nwolu (Isialangwa South LGA, Abia State), Evelyn Oyibo (Udu LGA, Delta State) and Ogadinma Ojo Okoro (Afikpo LGA, Ebonyi State).

Others are Ejike Obasi (Ehimo Mbano LGA, Imo State), Ugonna Obasi (Ehimo Mbano LGA, Imo State), J.O. (Ughelli South LGA, Delta State), Dike Edwin (Onimo LGA, Imo State) and Okechukwu Anyanwu (Ehimo Mbano LGA, Imo State).

The names also include Tochukwu Raphael (Ezeagu LGA, Enugu State), Paul Azubuike (Orlu LGA, Imo State), Monday Egberi (Isoko South LGA, Delta State) and Chima (Aninri Oduma LGA, Enugu state).

The others are Chinedu (Aninri Oduma LGA, Enugu state), Justin Johnson (Sapele LGA, Delta State), Marthins Egbule (Ngaba LGA, Imo State), Mrs Blessing (Yenagoa LGA, Bayelsa State) and Bridget Peter (Ughelli South LGA, Delta State).

The statement read, “After successfully carrying out a thorough search for their corpses, a total number of 18 persons above have been recovered, confirmed dead and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre mortuary with all expenses paid for by government.”