Anxiety and grief have enveloped Opu-Okumbiri and other coastal communities in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following the disappearance of two fishermen after their boat capsized off the Atlantic coastline.
The missing fishermen identified as Elder Sunday Sample Timothy and his assistant, Mr. Avarada reportedly left for a routine fishing expedition in the early hours of the day, departing around 1:00 a.m. to fish in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to a community leader, Chief Saturday Akimi-Omunhuo, the pair encountered difficulties when the outboard engine of their fishing boat developed a mechanical fault while they were far offshore.
He explained that another fishing boat responded to their distress and successfully towed the disabled vessel toward the continental shelf and the Atlantic coastline. However, as they approached the shore, powerful waves struck the faulty boat causing it to capsize.
While the rescue boat and its occupants reached safety, Elder Timothy and Mr. Avarada were swept away by the turbulent waters and have remained missing since the incident. Their damaged boat was later washed ashore.
Community volunteers and local rescue teams immediately launched a search operation along the coastline and surrounding waters. Although the fishermen’s fishing gear was recovered floating on the sea and returned to their families, there has been no trace of the two men.
Describing the incident as heartbreaking, Chief Akimi-Omunhuo said the entire Opu-Okumbiri community is mourning while hoping for positive news from the ongoing search efforts.
“The entire Opu-Okumbiri coastal communities are in a very sad mood. We are still searching for our brothers. This is not the first time. It happens almost every year,” he said.
The community leader appealed to the Brass Local Government Council, the Bayelsa State Government, the Federal Government and development partners to provide greater support for fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on the sea.
He called for the provision of modern safety equipment, improved marine rescue services, timely weather alerts and other interventions to reduce the recurring loss of lives among artisanal fishermen operating along Nigeria’s coastline.
“Our people have no other livelihood. We go to sea because we must. But year after year, we lose fathers, sons and breadwinners to these waters. We need better safety equipment, weather alerts, and support for coastal communities,” Chief Akimi-Omunhuo appealed.
As rescue efforts continue, families, friends, and residents of Opu-Okumbiri remain hopeful that the missing fishermen will be found, even as the latest tragedy underscores the persistent dangers faced by coastal fishing communities in the Niger Delta.
News credited to Adam Domo
