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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Tragedy has struck in Opu-Okumbiri in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State following the death of two fishermen identified as Elder Sunday Sample Timothy and his assistant, Mr Avarada.
According to investigations, the duo had on Thursday, like other local fishermen in the area, set out to the Atlantic Ocean for fishing but met a tragic end.
Chief Saturday Akimi-Omunhuo, a community leader who was believed to have witnessed the incident, narrated how the outboard engine of the fishing boat of the deceased developed a fault while they were already far out on the Atlantic Ocean.
He disclosed that a rescue boat had managed to tow them back toward the continental shelf and the Atlantic coastline.
Chief Akimi- Omunhuo, however, said that just close to the shore, the sea waves became so strong and capsized the faulty boat.
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The faulty boat was said to have been washed ashore, but its two occupants were lost to the sea.
Sources further stated that rescue teams were immediately dispatched to rescue the duo, but all their efforts were futile.
By Friday afternoon, only the fishermen’s fishing gear was found floating and was taken to their house.
“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,” Chief Akimi- Omunhuo said.
On Saturday morning, the bodies of the two fishermen were found floating, and the community immediately arranged the burial as tradition demands.
Following the death of the two fishermen, Chief Akimi- Omunhuo has appealed to the Brass Local Government authorities, the Bayelsa and Federal governments, and the international community to come to the aid of coastal dwellers whose lives depend entirely on the sea.
“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. Please, help us,” he appealed.
