One week after a boat mishap in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State claimed two lives, family of an Assistant Controller of Customs, Victor Amakiri, who drowned, have expressed worries over the circumstances that led to the incident.
A nephew to the Late Custom’s Officer, Tammy Young, who expressed dissatisfaction over the handling of the matter by the Police said the family is suspecting foul play and demands quick action from security agencies on the matter.
The Tide recalls that Late Victor Amakiri drowned while on his way to Tombia in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State on December 27, last year after a passenger boat collided with the boat he was travelling in with his family.
Young expressed worry that the boat the late Customs Officer was travelling in did not capsize but that his briefcase and other valuables were missing.
He also alleged that none of the boat drivers involved in the accident have been arrested and therefore urged the Police to come out with an official statement on the matter.
He said, “What is funny is that the boat that collided with them left without making any effort to rescue anyone. Neither the boat he (late Amakiri) was in nor the one that collided with them capsized.
“But most of their valuables, including his briefcase were carted away. Till today that I speak with you none of the drivers have been arrested or the boats impounded, whereas the matter was reported to the marine police that very day.
“My call to the security agencies is to ensure that the people concerned are brought to book and let the family know what actually happened.
“Because we are suspecting some foul play. It is an irony of situation where a boat did not capsize but valuables that the man was travelling with were carted away.”
But speaking to newsmen, spokesman of the Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, said the police has commenced investigation into the incident.
Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) however appealed to family members of the late Customs Officer to allow the police do their work.
The Police image maker said, “My attention has been drawn to the comment of one Tammy Young, a relation of the Customs Officer that died in a boat accident on the 27 December, 2018”.
Dennis Naku