Eight d3ad, five rescued as speedboats collide in Cross River

Eight passengers have lost their lives following a collision involving two speedboats in Ikang axis of the Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The spokesperson for the Cross River State Police Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday, September 16, 2026.

The PPRO said the incident occurred on September 6, 2026, at about 12:14 pm, when a W23 speedboat carrying 13 Nigerian passengers from Ikang in Bakassi LGA of Cross River State to the Republic of Cameroon collided with another W23 speedboat fitted with a double Yamaha engine in Cameroon territorial waters around the Tikoro area.

According to preliminary information, five passengers were rescued alive with the assistance of local fishermen in Cameroon, while eight others were feared drowned.

The bodies of the persons feared drowned were subsequently recovered and brought to Simon Beach, Ikang, in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Sunday said the Marine Police, Ikang, have been directed to ensure that the recovered bodies are properly identified by their respective families and deposited at the

“The Marine Police, Ikang, have been directed to ensure that the recovered bodies are properly identified by their respective families and deposited at the morgue, while further developments are being followed up,” the statement read.

“The Command is also liaising with relevant authorities and affected families as efforts continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The Police Command will provide further information as soon as verified details become available.”