Tragedy Hits Bayelsa Community As Fisherman’s Corpse Floats In River

A local fisherman identified as Mr. Erogbanyon Pewo, aged 43, who went missing since Sunday evening after a strange storm struck the Atlantic shore of Brass Island, was reportedly found dead at Brass jetty, even as the son is still missing.

The deceased, who hails from Ogbokiri community, headquarters of Akassa development center, was said to have gone fishing at Twon Brass with his son.

NAIJALOADED learnt that the fisherman and the missing son was believed to have drowned in the river due to the rising tide and high current of the ocean in the rainy season.

The young boy, whose name was not given, is the fourth of the six children of the deceased.

Confirming the incident, Youth Leader of Sangana fish town, Akassa clan, Comrade Kune Johnbull, said the incident happened on the Sunday, when a heavy storm struck, affecting structures and properties in the communities.

He said,

“It even affected our roofs and caused serious roughness in the sea. During this period of June/July, the sea is usually very rough and there’s no other option because fishing is the only source of our livelihood.

“This folks must go fishing, some persons despite the rough sea, still paddle their canoe tactically so that they can feed their families. While some try their luck by the river bank.

“The last case we recorded was some years back when two of my friends who went fishing were missing and after some days they were found but we were able to revive them.

“This particular case is so pathetic because we haven’t even seen the young boy. After several attempts by several persons to search for the two missing persons, it was just the man we saw.”

When NAIJALOADED got to the Twon Brass jetty, the business owners: crayfish and dryfish vendors were all in mourning mood, after the remains of the deceased floating on the water was taken away.

When contacted on the development, the Bayelsa state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Asimin Butswat said the command was yet to receive any information about the said accident.