THE police in Bayelsa State have confirmed the recovery of the bodies of its six personnel who died in a boat mishap last Friday, while travelling for the conduct of Saturday’s bye election in the state.
The policemen were travelling by a speedboat from Yenagoa to Southern Ijaw when it capsized at Oporoma.
In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, the command said it regretted “to announce the recovery of the bodies of policemen who went missing after a boat mishap.
“The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, December 4, when one of the speedboats conveying 11 policemen from Yenagoa to Southern Ijaw capsized at Oporoma. Five of the policemen were rescued immediately, while six were missing.”
According to the release, a combined team of rescue officers from the Marine Department of the police command and local divers recovered the bodies, which had been deposited at the mortuary.
The statement, signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Asinim Butswat, said that the police authorities condoled with the families of the deceased, adding that investigation had commenced to ascertain the cause of the boat mishap.
Meanwhile, state governor, Douye Diri, has expressed condolences with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu, over the loss of the personnel.
Governor Diri, who also condoled with the families of the deceased policemen in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday, said their sudden demise while on national duty was very painful.
While describing the incident as unfortunate, the governor prayed God to give the police boss and the families of the deceased the strength to bear the great loss.
