Three out of four bodies of the ”Operation Crocodile Smile” soldiers who drowned following a boat accident in Bayelsa State have been recovered by local divers and military personnel.
Lloyd Sese, Chairman National Maritime Union, Bayelsa State Chapter, said the accident occurred due to poor logistics and use of low powered engine boats to convoy military personnel.
Mr. Sese, who commented on the incident on Monday in Yenagoa, said the preliminary investigation conducted by the Brass Unit of the Maritime Union showed that the accident could have been avoided if adequate logistics were arranged with high capacity engine boats used.
He called on the military authorities to consult the Maritime Union for logistics and transport during such movements, while we commiserate with the Nigerian Military on the loss of their men, “we call on the military to consult those involved in the day to day commercial activities along the creeks and the waterways.”
Earlier, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations, confirmed the boat mishap saying “we have not been able to ascertain the number of soldiers who may have lost their lives. It is quite a tragic incident.”