Six policemen have reportedly drowned on their way to Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa state for the Saturday senatorial by-election holding across two districts in the state.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on the eve of the when deceased policemen, were said to be on their way to the place of assignment in riverine areas of Okporoma in Southern Ijaw local government when their boat capsized.
Initially the casualty figure was given as three, but by Sunday morning, the casualty figure has rise to six, with three bodies additionally identified.
Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Mike Okoli, while confirming the incident, said that that 5000 policemen were deployed for the by-elections into the vacant senatorial seat of Bayelsa West and Central.
Okoli, while giving an update, said that 11 policemen were on board the ill-fated speedboat, but six of them were missing while five were rescued.
Expressing sadness over the incident, he said, “The command is still searching for the body of the missing six policemen. They were travelling from Yenagoa to Southern Ijaw for election duty before the boat capsized at Oporoma (headquarters of the council).
“They are brave, dedicated and disciplined officers of the Nigeria Police Force that have paid the ultimate price while on a national assignment.”
Meanwhile Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has condoled with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, over the death of some police personnel that drowned while escorting voting materials during the December 5 senatorial by-election in the state.
The boat conveying the policemen capsized on its way to Oporoma, the headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
