Personnel of Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, deployed at Labrador Lagosgbene Houseboat, in a coordinated effort with local divers and members of Abedigbene Fishing Community, successfully rescued seven passengers following a boat mishap around Abedigbene waters in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State on 5 Nov 26.
The rescue operation followed a distress report from local fisherman concerning a passenger boat travelling from Yenagoa to Akassa. Upon receiving the information, personnel of FOB FORMOSO swiftly mobilised to the incident location and immediately commenced search and rescue operations, leveraging the expertise of local divers and the support of members of the host community.
The timely intervention resulted in the successful rescue of seven out of the eight persons reportedly on board, among the survivors were the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr EBIERI JONES, a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and five other passengers.
Upon arrival at Labrador Lagosgbene Houseboat, the rescued passengers were promptly administered first aid. Fortunately, preliminary assessments revealed no visible injuries among the survivors. However, one passenger, identified as a Police Officer, remains missing, with search and rescue operations ongoing to locate and recover the missing officer.
Subsequently, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr EBIERI JONES, and six other survivors of the boat mishap were conveyed to Yenagoa on 6 Nov 26 to reunite with their respective families.
The Commanding Officer, FOB FORMOSO, commended the personnel for their prompt response, dedication and professionalism, which contributed significantly to the successful rescue operation. He equally acknowledged the support and cooperation of the local divers and members of Abedigbene Fishing Community, emphasising that the operation highlights the importance of synergy between security agencies and host communities in responding to emergencies and safeguarding lives within the maritime environment.
The successful operation further demonstrates the vigilance, operational readiness and commitment of FOB FORMOSO personnel to their assigned responsibilities, particularly in the protection of lives and the maintenance of safety within their area of responsibility as the Base remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding lives, promoting maritime safety and strengthening collaboration with host communities.