Three unnamed policemen on official duty are said to have perished in riverine areas of Bayelsa state on their way to Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state for Saturday’s (today) Senatorial by-elections.
The New Diplomat’s checks reveal that the boat mishap and tragic incident happened when the boat conveying the policemen to their assigned duty post submerged under the river in Southern Ijaw.
Recall that Saturday (today) is the Senatorial By-election taking place in two senatorial districts of Bayelsa state. In Bayelsa West by-election, immediate past governor of the State, Hon Seriake Dickson of the PDP is facing his serious challenger, Rt Hon Peremobowei Ebebi, a former deputy governor of the State who is also a former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
The three policemen were said to have died in the boat mishap instantly. The policemen who were reported to be on their way for the by-election in riverine areas of Southern Ijaw local government when their boat submerged under the river lost their lives tragically, sending fears and panic among other users of the river.
Recall that Bayelsa state Commissioner of Police, Mike Okoli had told journalists that about 5000 policemen were deployed for the by-elections to man strategic polling units in both Bayelsa West and Central, respectively.
Bayelsa State Police Command spokesman, SP Asinim Butswat who confirmed the tragic incident, said the accurate figures of the casualties were yet to be ascertained .
