From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Police Command has launched investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assassination of a real estate magnate, Ekpeboh Richard, in Bayelsa State.
Operatives of the Rapid Response Unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command had recovered Ekpeboh’s body from the forest between the new NDDC Road and Otuokpoti in Ogbia Local Government of the state. According to sources, the deceased was shot in the head in an execution manner and dumped in the bush.
Checks indicated that the deceased had left home on July, 24,2025, and the wife became apprehensive at about 2: am when he failed to return home.
His wife was said to have been worried when his calls, which had not been answered for three days, were returned via WhatsApp chat with messages purportedly cautioned her not to mount unnecessary pressure on him.
“Further prompting by the wife that she would reach out to the extended family to ask him why he abandoned the house was met by a promise to send money via POS. A sum of N15,300 was sent to a POS agent and not her account.
“He also revealed that he owed two persons N9 million and N3 million within the association. But it was later discovered that those who abducted and killed him were the ones using his phone to chat with his worried wife,’’ a source said.
His friends and colleagues of the deceased were said to have reported the matter to the Police, which deployed the RRS headed by CSP Bishop Elemide to the case.
‘’The RRS operatives, working on intelligence, cooperation of youths, and a witness, discovered that two young men in a blue Coloured salon car had dragged the deceased out and taken him deep into the forest. What we heard later were two gunshots. And the two young men scampered into their car and left. We discovered that there was a struggle between the deceased and his killers, with his footwear found a few metres from where the body was discovered. We assisted in recovering the body. The place it was dumped was a swamp. His head was blown off by gun gunshot,” a witness said.
A Senior Police officer said the homicide department of the State Criminal Investigation Department( SCID) may take over the case and is already working on two facts.
“ We are looking at the fact that it may be a case of business deals gone wrong with members of his association or that he may be involved in any other deal that went sour”.
Oyetola vows sweeping reforms to end boat mishaps as committee submits report
In a bold step towards ending recurring fatalities on Nigeria’s waterways, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola,at the weekend received the report of the Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria, vowing that the Federal Government will implement sweeping reforms to improve maritime safety.
Speaking while receiving the report of the Committee in Abuja, Oyetola reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to making Nigerian waters safe for all users. He declared that the current spate of boat mishaps was unacceptable and preventable, and must be tackled through a blend of policy enforcement, stakeholder cooperation, and behavioural change.
“The safety of our citizens on water is not just a policy responsibility; it is a moral duty. Every life lost in a boat mishap is one too many,” the Minister stated: “This report will serve as a foundation for immediate and long-term reforms. We will study the recommendations closely and act where policy adjustments or institutional coordination are required.”
The Minister stressed the urgent need for attitudinal change among water transport users, especially regarding the use of life jackets, describing such safety gear as non-negotiable. He further revealed that the Federal Government is set to phase out rickety boats, often implicated in fatal accidents, and replace them with safer, standard-compliant alternatives.
In a strong call to action, Oyetola appealed to state governments and other sub-national authorities to align with federal initiatives, stating:“The fight against boat mishaps cannot be won by the Federal Government alone. We call on state governments to collaborate with us in enforcing standards and saving lives.”
The Minister also said he recently approved a nationwide distribution of life jackets to riverine and coastal communities as part of a strategic intervention to curb the alarming rate of boat mishaps and related fatalities. He urged the beneficiaries to prioritise safety by consistently and correctly using the life jackets whenever they travel on water.
The 16-member Special Committee, inaugurated by the Minister on February 27,2025, was tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of commercial boat operations in Nigeria, identifying causes of boat mishaps, and proposing sustainable solutions.
Committee Chairman and Managing Director/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji, presented the detailed report to the Minister, outlining its structure and key findings.
According to Oyebamiji, the committee exceeded its initial six-week mandate to ensure a thorough and credible outcome. The report, comprising six chapters, includes detailed analyses of current operations, regulatory gaps, design standards, and institutional capacity. It also proposes a comprehensive plan to enhance safety and oversight.
Among the 64 recommendations reviewed by four technical sub-committees, 17 key proposals were highlighted in the final chapter. These include: establishment of a Coastal Guard to enforce waterway safety regulations; creation of a National Boat Design Policy to standardise permitted vessel types; mandatory certification and formal training for boat operators; increased funding for NIWA to strengthen hydrographic and marine engineering functions; and setting up search and rescue stations at strategic locations across inland waterways.
Oyebamiji expressed gratitude to the Minister for his support and to the committee members for their commitment and sacrifices.
“We adopted both physical and virtual meetings and created four specialised sub-committees to ensure a robust and practical report. We hope our findings serve as a blueprint for lasting safety in the sector,” he added.
The submission of the report marks a pivotal moment in President Bola Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” particularly in fostering sustainable and safe blue economy practices.
The committee’s members include maritime safety experts, academics, engineers, legal practitioners, and policy professionals. They include Dr. Dayo Moberuola, Prof. S. Abiodun, Dr. Babatunde Olaosebikan, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, Hadiza Idris Kuta, Engr. Yahaya Farouk, Attahiru Maccido and Denis Tar Iyaghigba. Others are Gani Tarzan Balogun, Capt. Stan Chucka Igwe, Raiph Onoshakpor, Prof. Ibiba Douglas, Richard Ntan, Babatope Fajemirokun and Ofie Adams.
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