The police in Lagos, following an investigation, have blamed a boat operator for causing the death of 12 people in a boat mishap last month over N300 fare.
The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, while parading the boat operator, Bimbo Elebiju, revealed that an argument over fare ensued when the operator was conveying 20 passengers to their destination.
Elebiju turned off the boat’s engine when passengers insisted on paying N1,200 instead of N1,500. The wave from a sailing ship, caused the boat to drift into a stationary barge and then capsized. Elebiju allegedly abandoned the passengers and swam to safety when he discovered that he had lost control of the boat.
The mishap resulted to the death of 12 people and three missing persons. Five people were rescued
“On July 29, 2020, around 5:45pm, our marine operatives received a distress call that a commercial boat with the inscription: ‘Mount Zion Transport’, fitted with 150HP Yamaha outboard engine, which was conveying 20 passengers from Kirikiri to Badagry, drifted towards a stationary barge and capsized along the Kirikiri waterfront,” Odumosu stated.
“Five passengers were rescued, while 12 corpses were recovered. Three people are still missing. The helmsman, Bimbo Elebiju, swam to safety. Investigation revealed that the accident was caused by the deliberate act of the helmsman. There was an argument between the deckhand and the passengers as to the transport fare.
“Bimbo insisted on N1,500 per passenger and the passengers said they would only pay N1,200 each. Because of the N300 difference, the helmsman turned off the engine on a turbulent waterfront. A big ship passed and stirred the water, that made the boat to drift towards the stationary barge. The suspect was trailed to his hideout and arrested after the survivors of the accident gave the true accident gave the true account of what happened. He will be charged.”
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