. Contractor denies allegations linking Ibeto to incident
Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police have confirmed an incident involving a ship accident in Kula Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of the state, in which 10 folks have been reportedly killed.
The police spokesperson, ASP Agabe Karborlo stated investigations have been ongoing to ascertain the precise variety of casualties and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“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,” she stated.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday night amid tensions over the deliberate restoration of a vessel, Anambra Basin FSO, and a dispute involving allegations of oil air pollution in the group.
Community sources alleged that residents had opposed the elimination of the vessel over considerations concerning the environmental influence of a reported oil spill.
Sukubo Sara-Igbe, a local of Kula and President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, alleged that six gunboats arrived in the realm through the operation.
He stated {that a} boat conveying group members capsized through the confrontation, leaving a number of folks feared useless.
“The top boat capsized the boat the community came with, and 10 lives were lost,” he stated, including that efforts have been being made to get well the our bodies.
He additionally alleged that two native safety personnel have been amongst these feared useless. The police have but to ascertain the identities of the casualties or independently verify the circumstances described by group sources.
A former spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, additionally referred to as for an investigation into the incident, saying the group had raised considerations over the reported air pollution and the vessel’s elimination.
The incident has heightened group considerations, with requires the authorities to ascertain what occurred, decide duty the place crucial and be certain that the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths are absolutely investigated.
However, Max Shipping Services Limited, the proprietor of Anambra Basin FSO and a subsidiary of Ibeto Group, denied allegations linking Ibeto to the incident in an announcement dated October 21, 2026.
The firm stated it owned the vessel however was not the operator of the oilfield or the underlying petroleum operations in Kula.
According to the assertion, the vessel was employed to Menal Technical Services Limited beneath a Marine Equipment Hire Agreement dated September 20, 2024, subsequently amended by an addendum.
Max Shipping stated Menal had assumed specified contractual tasks referring to operational necessities, group settlements, safety and demobilisation.
The firm defined that it sought to retrieve its gear following extended excellent rent funds, including that the crude oil beforehand saved in the vessel had been discharged earlier than the demobilisation effort.
It cited tank inspection paperwork issued by Checkirem and GSV Inspection Services Limited in September 2026, which it stated recorded that the inspected tanks have been free and clear of crude oil on the time of inspection.
The firm additionally stated its representatives had met with group leaders on a number of events to clarify its contractual relationship with Menal and search a peaceable decision.
“We are deeply saddened by reports that a community boat capsized and that allegedly lives may have been lost,” the assertion stated.
It urged the media and the general public to tell apart between possession of the vessel and the operational tasks of the hirer and different events concerned in actions on the oilfield.
Max Shipping referred to as for calm and urged the related authorities to research the incident and set up the info.
Meanwhile, the police investigation is anticipated to make clear the circumstances surrounding the boat capsizing, the reported deaths and the occasions resulting in the confrontation.
