The Rivers State Police Command has launched an investigation into a boat capsize in Kula Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state, following a confrontation between youths and men in military uniform over an oil spill.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, reportedly resulted in loss of lives, although the police said the exact number of casualties had yet to be established.

Also read: 10 feared dead as boat capsizes in Rivers oil spill clash

The confrontation reportedly began when community members attempted to stop further operations by a contractor working in the area until the affected environment was remediated and compensation paid over the oil spill.

It was gathered that the dispute involved a businessman whose vessel was being used to execute a contract in the community.

The situation reportedly escalated when men in uniform arrived in gunboats and attempted to move the businessman’s vessel from the area.

Community youths allegedly challenged the move, questioning why the vessel was being relocated before their concerns over the environmental impact of the oil spill and compensation had been addressed.

During the confrontation, one of the gunboats reportedly struck a boat carrying some of the youths, causing it to capsize.

Community leader and pioneer spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation.

Sara-Igbe alleged that the arrival of the uniformed personnel worsened the situation and disrupted earlier efforts to resolve the dispute peacefully.

He called for a thorough investigation by the police and other security agencies to establish what led to the boat capsize and determine responsibility.

“The confrontation occurred amid attempts by residents to resist the alleged forceful re-entry to the site, during which a community boat capsized while trying to resist them. Ten people are feared dead,” Sara-Igbe said.

He also alleged that the uniformed personnel left the scene immediately after the incident.

“Now, from what I gathered, immediately after this happened (tragedy), the uniformed people ran away,” he added.

Providing a further update on Wednesday morning, Sara-Igbe condemned the incident and said the community planned to take the victims’ bodies to government and security authorities in the state.

“We are going to bring the corpses of the victims and we would be bringing them to Port Harcourt.

“We will take their corpses to Government House for the governor to know what has happened. We will also take the corpses to the police and Army headquarters in the state,” he said.

When contacted, the spokesman for the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division in Port Harcourt, Lt. Col. Umar, said he was unaware of the incident but promised to make inquiries.

“We are not aware of this. But we will make inquiries,” he told our reporter in a message on Wednesday morning.

However, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed that it was investigating the incident.

The command’s spokesperson, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the police were aware of the reported boat capsize and confirmed that lives were lost.

“The Rivers State Police Command is aware of the incident in Kula Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, which reportedly resulted in the loss of lives.

“Investigation is ongoing to ascertain the exact number of casualties and the circumstances surrounding the incident,” Agabe said.

The police position means the claim that 10 people died remains unverified as investigators work to establish the actual casualty figure and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Also read: 10 feared dead as boat capsizes in Rivers oil spill clash

The incident has renewed concerns over tensions surrounding oil-related activities and environmental disputes in communities across the Niger Delta, where residents often demand remediation and compensation following pollution incidents.